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Cryptorabic

Is crypto legal in Egypt?

Legal status

Banned by lawLast verified:

Dealing in crypto without a Central Bank licence is a criminal offence in Egypt, and we found no licence granted. Article 206 of the Central Bank and Banking System Law (No. 194 of 2020) prohibits issuing, trading or promoting cryptocurrencies, and creating or operating platforms for them, without Central Bank approval. Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority says violations carry prison, a fine of EGP 1 million to 10 million, or both. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta has also ruled dealing in Bitcoin religiously forbidden.

Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP)

Regulators

Quick answers

The short version. Each row links to the full answer below.

What does the law say about crypto and Bitcoin in Egypt?

No. Trading or promoting crypto without a Central Bank licence is a criminal offence. Article 206 of Law No. 194 of 2020 prohibits issuing, trading or promoting cryptocurrencies without a licence from the Central Bank of Egypt. We found no licence granted, and the Central Bank has said dealings in Egypt should be limited to officially approved currencies.[2][5]

Can you buy crypto in Egypt, and how?

There is no licensed way to buy crypto in Egypt. Trading in cryptocurrencies without a Central Bank licence is prohibited, and since we found no licence granted, there is no licensed way to buy crypto in Egypt.[2][5]

Can you use a bank in Egypt for crypto?

No. Banks cannot offer crypto services. Operating crypto platforms or related activities requires a Central Bank licence, and we found none granted, so banks and payment providers have no licensed basis to offer crypto wallets, exchange or trading services.[2]

Is USDT and P2P trading allowed in Egypt?

No. The ban covers all cryptocurrency trading. Article 206 covers trading cryptocurrencies without a licence and does not carve out stablecoins such as USDT or peer-to-peer deals.[2]

Is crypto mining legal in Egypt?

Not addressed by name in the law. We found no provision that names crypto mining. Article 206 prohibits issuing cryptocurrencies without a Central Bank licence, and some Egyptian lawyers read that as covering mining.[1]

Is crypto taxed in Egypt?

No crypto tax rules found. We found no Egyptian tax rules for crypto, which fits with unlicensed crypto activity being a criminal offence.

What are the penalties for crypto in Egypt?

Prison, a fine of EGP 1–10 million, or both. The Financial Regulatory Authority says trading, promoting or running crypto activities without prior authorization is punishable by prison, a fine of EGP 1 million to 10 million, or both. For a repeat offence, both prison and the fine reportedly apply.[2][5][6]

Which crypto exchanges are licensed in Egypt?

None. Running a crypto platform without a licence is a crime. Creating or operating a crypto trading platform requires a Central Bank licence, and we found none issued.[2]

How crypto works in practice in Egypt

Online promotions of crypto investments have spread in Egypt despite the law, prompting repeated official warnings. In May 2025 the Financial Regulatory Authority warned again about solicitations to deal in crypto, reminded the public of the prison and fine penalties, and asked people to report unlicensed solicitations.[3][5][6]

Risks

  • Prison and/or fines of EGP 1–10 million for unlicensed trading or promotion
  • Fraudulent online crypto investment ads
  • No investor protection: losses and scams may not be recoverable

Taking part in this market is illegal in Egypt.

More questions about crypto in Egypt

Can businesses in Egypt accept crypto?

No. Only officially approved currencies may be used.

Details

The Central Bank of Egypt has said dealings in Egypt must be limited to officially approved currencies, and trading crypto without a licence is prohibited.[2]

Earning with crypto in Egypt: what's legal

Is crypto trading allowed in Egypt?

No. Trading crypto is a criminal offence.

Details

Trading cryptocurrencies without a Central Bank licence is prohibited under Article 206 and punishable by prison, fines or both.[2][5]

Is crypto halal in Egypt? Official religious rulings

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta ruled dealing in Bitcoin forbidden in 2017.

Details

In December 2017, Egypt's official fatwa authority, Dar al-Ifta, ruled that dealing in Bitcoin is forbidden under Islamic law. It cited the lack of any central bank backing, the unknown issuer, harm to the economy, and its use in fraud and illicit financing.[4]

Key laws and decisions in Egypt

  • Central Bank and Banking System Law No. 194 of 2020, Article 206

    Reference: Law No. 194 of 2020, Article 206Date:

    Prohibits issuing, trading in or promoting cryptocurrencies or electronic money, and creating or operating platforms for trading them, without a licence from the Central Bank. Violations are punishable by prison, a fine of EGP 1–10 million, or both, and repeat offences reportedly carry both.[2][5][7]

What changed

  1. Financial Regulatory Authority renews its warning against dealing in cryptocurrencies.
  2. Law No. 194 of 2020 makes unlicensed crypto activity a criminal offence.
  3. Dar al-Ifta rules dealing in Bitcoin forbidden.

Sources

  1. [1] Andersen Egypt: The legality of cryptocurrency in Egypt (January 2025)Secondary source
  2. [2] Al Mal News: After the Central Bank's warning, the penalty for trading Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies (28 March 2021)Secondary source
  3. [3] AGBI: Egypt renews warning over dealing in cryptocurrencies (May 2025)Secondary source
  4. [4] Youm7: Dar al-Ifta prohibits dealing in Bitcoin (31 December 2017)Secondary source
  5. [5] Financial Regulatory Authority: FRA issues strong warning on illegal promotion of financial products (6 May 2025)Official source
  6. [6] Financial Regulatory Authority: warning on crypto and forex solicitations (31 December 2022)Official source
  7. [7] Law No. 194 of 2020 issuing the Central Bank and Banking System Law (text, issued 15 September 2020)Secondary source

Nearby countries

Neighboring countries and others with the same status.

Information, not legal or financial advice. Last verified 14 October 2026.