1. What the regulators are saying
| Date | Regulator | Key action | Impact on Binance |
| May 11 2018 | National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), SERC, National Police | Joint statement: all crypto trading, buying, selling & settlement require a government licence | Made any un‑licensed platform (including Binance) de jure illegal |
| Dec 2024 | Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) | Blocked 16 foreign exchange websites—Binance, Coinbase, OKX, etc. | Websites inaccessible inside Cambodia; mobile apps still work |
| Dec 26 2024 | NBC | Prakas B7‑024‑735 lets banks offer crypto services once approved; draws a line between “Group 1” (stablecoins) & “Group 2” (un‑backed coins like BTC) | Opens a pathway for licensed local‑bank gateways, but Binance remains un‑licensed |
| May 23 2025 | SERC / NBC | Continuing policy consultations; focus on oversight, financial inclusion and sandbox pilots | Overseas exchanges still blocked pending licences |
Bottom line
Using Binance from Cambodia today is technically illegal under the 2018 joint statement and subject to the website block, even though many residents keep trading through the app.
2. Can you still
access
Binance?
| Access method | Current status | Legal risk |
| Desktop browser (binance.com) | Blocked by Cambodia’s ISPs since Nov/Dec 2024 directive | Exchange is un‑licensed → activity is illegal |
| Mobile app (without VPN) | Continues to connect for most users; TRC block covers domains, not IP traffic | Still un‑licensed → illegal |
| VPN / mirror sites | Common workaround among Cambodian traders | Same legal risk + possible penalties if identified |
Regulators have not announced mass prosecutions, but the 2018 directive allows for fines and criminal charges. Use caution.
3. Why is Binance still talking to Cambodian officials?
- Binance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SERC in June 2022 to help craft digital‑asset regulations .
- Workshops and training for local officials followed through 2023 .
- Even after the 2024 block, Binance said it is “closely monitoring the evolving situation” and wants a compliant path forward .
Translation: the government wants control before giving the green light, and Binance is positioning itself to become a licensed exchange once the rules exist.
4. Practical tips for Cambodian crypto enthusiasts
- Stay updated on licences
– Watch for any SERC announcement of a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) licence list. When Binance appears there, you’re good to go! - Explore local sandbox exchanges
– Royal Group Exchange (RGX) and two other local platforms operate in SERC’s “FinTech Sandbox” and are the only exchanges currently permitted to trade digital assets (no fiat pairs yet) . - If you must use Binance now:
Complete KYC with Cambodian ID or passport—Binance recognises Cambodian documents, but that does not make the activity legal. Keep trade sizes small, use strong security (2FA, withdrawal whitelist) and understand you operate at your own risk. - Watch the stablecoin carve‑out
– NBC’s December 2024 Prakas classifies asset‑backed stablecoins as “Group 1”. Once your bank or a licensed payment firm offers a crypto on‑/off‑ramp, those coins could become the simplest compliant option . - Educate yourself on taxes
– Cambodia has no published crypto tax framework yet, but capital‑gains rules still apply. Keep transaction records.
5. What could happen next?
| Scenario | Likelihood (2025‑26) | What it means |
| Binance gains Cambodian DASP licence | Medium – SERC has worked with Binance since 2022 | Website unblocked; full KYC; local fiat pairs possible |
| Permanent ban on foreign exchanges | Low‑Medium – Fulcrum analysts see blocks as part of wider oversight drive | Users confined to local exchanges or VPN risk |
| Integration with Bakong (CBDC platform) | Experimental – NBC’s CBDC is already live; MoU hints at future bridges | Seamless on‑chain riel payments |
Power take‑away
Yes, you can still physically trade on Binance if you jump through hoops, but doing so is against current Cambodian regulations. Keep your entrepreneurial fire burning, track the fast‑moving policy landscape, and position yourself for the day Cambodia formally licenses the global giants. The future belongs to the prepared—stay informed, stay agile, and keep lifting your financial goals to new one‑rep‑max heights! 💪🚀