Is Crypto Legal in Bangladesh in 2025? What the Central Bank & Law Actually Say

The Bangladesh Bank has issued repeated warnings against digital assets, describing them as risky and illegal for payments. On the other hand, traders, students, and even small business owners continue to explore crypto markets through global platforms. 

The situation has created a legal grey zone that leaves many asking the same question, is crypto legal in Bangladesh in 2025, or is it still banned? Check out in this article!

The Central Bank’s Position

The Bangladesh Bank made its stance clear as early as 2017, declaring that Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital currencies are not legal tender. The central bank has linked cryptocurrency activities to risks such as money laundering, foreign exchange violations, and fraud. 

Official circulars have reminded citizens that crypto trading is not recognised within the country’s financial system.

However, the bank also clarified in later communications that merely owning or holding cryptocurrency is not automatically a crime. 

Legal consequences mainly arise when crypto activities are tied to unlawful acts such as laundering money abroad or financing illegal activities. 

This has left citizens in a confusing situation, where cryptocurrency is not explicitly banned by law, but also not given any recognition or legal framework.

Read also: Is Elizabeth Warren Still Anti Crypto?

Trading Behind the Curtain

Despite the crypto ban in Bangladesh, people continue to trade through crypto exchange platforms. Signing up usually requires identity verification, and funds are often added through mobile banking services like bKash or Nagad. 

Traders buy coins such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, then attempt to profit by selling them at higher prices.

Some local agents even combine mobile banking with crypto transactions, using cash-in and cash-out services to settle deals. This has created a shadow ecosystem where digital currencies circulate without formal oversight. 

Students and young professionals are also drawn to “airdrops,” where free tokens are given in exchange for small online tasks, making it possible to collect assets without direct investment.

Read also: HKMA Stablecoin Rules Explained: How it Will Affect the Future of Digital Money

Risks, Scams, and Arrests

The lack of regulation has opened doors to fraud. Several cases show how investors were tricked into fake schemes. Some scams start with small crypto tasks that pay a little at first to build trust, before asking for larger investments and then disappearing.

Authorities have also cracked down on fraudulent networks. In one case, a businessman was accused of running a fake crypto company that defrauded people of over $1.5 million. 

Another individual was arrested for processing international Bitcoin transactions linked to hackers abroad. These incidents highlight why the government remains cautious about legalising crypto trading without proper safeguards.

Missed Opportunities?

While Bangladesh has kept a restrictive approach, experts argue that banning crypto is not a long-term solution. The Information and Communication Technology Division previously drafted a National Blockchain Strategy in 2020, which recognised the global rise of blockchain investment. 

It warned that Bangladesh risks being left behind if it does not build legal and technical capacity to engage with the technology.

Blockchain, the system behind cryptocurrencies, offers transparency and peer-to-peer transactions without banks. 

Yet, without regulation, it also creates risks that are difficult for law enforcement to manage. Balancing innovation and security is the challenge Bangladesh faces today.

Read also: White House Crypto Report Sparks ‘Golden Age’ Vision Backed by Trump Era Push

Looking Ahead

Globally, cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand, with many countries choosing to regulate rather than ban it outright. In Bangladesh, experts like Professor B M Mainul Hossain of Dhaka University believe that regulation is the right path forward. 

He argues that transparency is possible if the government provides guidelines that allow digital assets to be used safely.

For now, the reality is clear, crypto is not legally recognised in Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Bank continues to discourage its use. At the same time, thousands of citizens remain active in the digital asset space, showing that public interest is unlikely to fade. 

Whether Bangladesh will embrace regulation or continue its strict stance remains one of the most pressing questions for the country’s digital economy.

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FAQ

Is cryptocurrency legal in Bangladesh?

While there is no specific law banning cryptocurrency, the Bangladesh Bank stated in 2017 that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not legal tender. Existing laws on foreign exchange and money laundering make trading risky.

What is the future of cryptocurrency in Bangladesh?

The government is considering the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to support virtual transactions for startups and e-commerce.

How can I buy Dogecoin from Bangladesh?

You can buy Dogecoin in Bangladesh using various methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or through online platforms like Skrill and Neteller. Some services also accept Amazon Gift Cards.

Can I invest in cryptocurrency from Bangladesh?

Investing in cryptocurrency is not illegal in Bangladesh as long as the transactions are not related to money laundering or financing terrorism.