Iraq Crypto Trading Ban: What’s Really Happening and How It Compares to Other Countries
When the Iraq crypto trading ban, a nationwide prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions enforced by the Central Bank of Iraq under Law No. 54 of 2020. Also known as Iraq’s crypto prohibition, it doesn’t target blockchain technology itself—but any buying, selling, or promoting of digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum is illegal under Iraqi law. Unlike countries that quietly ignore crypto, Iraq’s ban is written into banking regulations, and banks are required to block transactions linked to crypto exchanges.
This ban isn’t unique. It’s part of a broader pattern in the Middle East and South Asia. The Central Bank of Egypt crypto ban, a similar legal restriction under Law No. 194/2020 that blocks crypto trading and advertising. Also known as Egypt’s cryptocurrency prohibition, it mirrors Iraq’s approach: strict rules, quiet enforcement, and no jail time—but banks freeze accounts if they spot crypto activity. In India, while crypto isn’t banned outright, banks have blocked UPI payments for exchanges like ArthBit, forcing users to find workarounds. These aren’t random policies—they’re responses to concerns over capital flight, money laundering, and the lack of regulatory oversight.
What’s interesting is what’s allowed. In both Iraq and Egypt, blockchain tech is still used legally—for land records, customs tracking, and government contracts. That’s not a contradiction. It’s a signal: governments don’t hate the technology. They hate the uncontrolled money flows. The real question isn’t whether crypto is banned—it’s whether you can still use it without getting flagged. Many traders in Iraq still access exchanges through VPNs or peer-to-peer platforms, but they do it quietly. The risk isn’t from hackers—it’s from your own bank reporting you.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real-world examples of how these bans play out. From how Egypt enforces its rules without public crackdowns, to how Indian users navigate UPI restrictions, to how international efforts like INTERPOL’s HAECHI VI operations track stolen crypto across borders—these aren’t theoretical debates. They’re daily realities for people trying to trade crypto under tight restrictions. Whether you’re in Baghdad, Cairo, or Delhi, the same patterns repeat: rules exist, enforcement is inconsistent, and users adapt. This collection gives you the facts—not the hype—so you know what’s actually possible.
