Does Binance work in Ethiopia? NBE notice of 27 February 2026
Does Binance work in Ethiopia? Short answer
Facts read on 21 October 2026. The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) said on 27 February 2026 that Birr-paired P2P on trading platforms is not permitted unless it authorises it. Binance does not name Ethiopia as prohibited. This page has no sign-up button and no code. We make no legal ruling; we quote the regulator and Binance.
| Fact | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Birr-paired P2P on trading platforms “not permitted unless explicitly authorized” | National Bank of Ethiopia | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Birr-denominated P2P or exchange involving cryptocurrencies “also prohibited” | National Bank of Ethiopia | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Ethiopia not named in the List of Prohibited Countries | Binance | Updated 5 Jan 2026 |
| Ethiopia not in the Binance App supported-regions list | Binance | Updated 18 Aug 2026 |
What the National Bank of Ethiopia said (27 February 2026)
The notice is titled “Notice on illegal Birr-paired peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions via trading platforms” and is dated 27 February 2026, Addis Ababa. It says that “the use of Birr paired P2P arrangements on trading platforms, exchanges, or similar services and products is not permitted unless explicitly authorized by the National Bank of Ethiopia.” It adds that “Any form of Birr denominated P2P trading or exchange involving cryptocurrencies is also prohibited” and that “Birr paired P2P cryptocurrency transactions remain prohibited.”
The notice speaks of “certain P2P platforms and crypto asset exchanges” and names none. We therefore do not write that the NBE banned Binance.
Is Ethiopia on Binance’s prohibited list?
No. Ethiopia is not named in Binance’s List of Prohibited Countries, “Updated - 5 January 2026”. That is not the same as being authorised: the prohibited list and the NBE notice answer different questions.
Ethiopia is also not listed among the countries and regions where the Binance App is supported (page updated 18 August 2026). We state only what the list shows and do not guess at the reasons.
What this means for Birr (ETB) P2P
By the NBE text above, Birr-paired P2P involving cryptocurrencies is prohibited. We have no frame of current ETB listings on Binance P2P, so we do not state whether such listings exist today. We also found no official NBE text from July 2026, so we use only the notice of 27 February 2026.
Why there is no sign-up button here
We show a sign-up link only where our evidence covers the country and the exchange is available there. For Ethiopia we have no such evidence for Binance, so there is no button and no code. We know of no alternative with a button either: the NBE notice speaks of platforms in general. We do not describe ways around restrictions.
How we checked
The NBE notice and the two Binance lists were read on 21 October 2026 and are quoted above. Each source has a link and a check date in this page’s source list. For our method, see How we verify and the editorial policy.
Related pages
For where we show the Binance code, see Binance referral code.
FAQ
The questions above are answered in the FAQ block of this page, each with its source and check date.
Facts and sources
| Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| The National Bank of Ethiopia said on 27 February 2026 that "the use of Birr paired P2P arrangements on trading platforms, exchanges, or similar services and products is not permitted unless explicitly authorized by the National Bank of Ethiopia." | National Bank of Ethiopia: Notice on illegal Birr-paired peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions via trading platforms (27 February 2026) | |
| The same notice says "Any form of Birr denominated P2P trading or exchange involving cryptocurrencies is also prohibited" and "Birr paired P2P cryptocurrency transactions remain prohibited." | National Bank of Ethiopia: Notice on illegal Birr-paired peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions via trading platforms (27 February 2026) | |
| The notice refers to "certain P2P platforms and crypto asset exchanges" and does not name Binance or any other platform. | National Bank of Ethiopia: Notice on illegal Birr-paired peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions via trading platforms (27 February 2026) | |
| Ethiopia is not named in Binance's List of Prohibited Countries, "Updated - 5 January 2026". | Binance: Binance List of Prohibited Countries (Updated - 5 January 2026) | |
| Ethiopia is not listed among the countries and regions where the Binance App is supported (list updated 18 August 2026). | Binance: Countries/Regions where the Binance App is supported (updated 18 August 2026) |
FAQ
Does Binance work in Ethiopia?
We cannot confirm it. Ethiopia is not named in Binance's List of Prohibited Countries ("Updated - 5 January 2026") and is not in the Binance App supported-regions list (updated 18 August 2026). The National Bank of Ethiopia says Birr-paired P2P is not permitted.
Is Binance legal in Ethiopia?
We make no legal ruling. The NBE notice of 27 February 2026 does not name Binance or any other platform. It says Birr-paired P2P arrangements are "not permitted unless explicitly authorized by the National Bank of Ethiopia".
Is Binance banned in Ethiopia?
We did not find a source that names Binance as banned. The NBE notice speaks of "certain P2P platforms and crypto asset exchanges" and names none.
Can I buy USDT with Birr on Binance P2P?
The NBE says "Any form of Birr denominated P2P trading or exchange involving cryptocurrencies is also prohibited". By our check on 21 October 2026 we have no frame of current ETB listings, so we state nothing about them.
Is Ethiopia on Binance's restricted list?
No. Ethiopia is not named in Binance's List of Prohibited Countries, "Updated - 5 January 2026". That is not the same as being authorised by the NBE.
How do I open a Binance account in Ethiopia?
We do not give sign-up steps for Ethiopia. Read the NBE notice and Binance's own lists first. We do not describe ways around restrictions.