Ethiopia vs North Korea
Crypto regulation comparison
Ethiopia
North Korea
Restricted
Banned
Ethiopia's Proclamation No. 1359/2024 explicitly prohibits cryptocurrency for payment transactions but allows the NBE to issue future guidelines on digital assets. Crypto mining is legal and actively growing, with Ethiopia emerging as a major Bitcoin mining destination leveraging hydroelectric power. A comprehensive regulatory framework is under development.
North Korea does not allow civilian cryptocurrency use. The regime has been accused by the UN and US of using state-sponsored hacking to steal cryptocurrency to fund weapons programs.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
National Bank of Ethiopia
Regulator
Central Bank of North Korea
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable — crypto banned
Key Points
- Proclamation No. 1359/2024 prohibits cryptocurrency for payment transactions
- NBE authorized to issue future directives on crypto assets and CBDCs
- Crypto mining is legal and rapidly expanding, leveraging hydroelectric power
- Ethiopia has become one of the fastest-growing Bitcoin mining destinations globally
- Comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework under development
Key Points
- No civilian cryptocurrency use permitted
- State-sponsored crypto theft alleged by UN and US
- Lazarus Group linked to major crypto exchange hacks
- International sanctions restrict all financial activities
- Cryptocurrency used by state actors, not civilians