Ethiopia vs Lesotho
Crypto regulation comparison
Ethiopia
Lesotho
Restricted
No Regulation
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.
Lesotho has no specific cryptocurrency regulation. The central bank has not issued formal guidance on crypto.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
National Bank of Ethiopia
Regulator
Central Bank of Lesotho
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
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 specific cryptocurrency legislation
- Central bank has not issued formal crypto guidance
- Part of the Common Monetary Area with South Africa
- Limited crypto adoption
- No licensing framework for crypto services