Blockchain in Egypt: What’s Really Happening and Where to Look
When you hear blockchain in Egypt, a digital ledger system being adopted despite government caution and financial restrictions. Also known as cryptocurrency use in Egypt, it’s not about flashy DeFi projects—it’s about survival, remittances, and bypassing broken banking systems. Unlike countries that launched national digital currencies or embraced crypto as legal tender, Egypt’s story is quieter, messier, and more human.
People in Egypt aren’t trading Bitcoin because it’s trendy. They’re using it because the Egyptian pound has lost over 50% of its value since 2022, and banks limit how much you can send abroad. Crypto becomes a lifeline—sending money to family in Europe or buying essentials from overseas vendors. You won’t find big exchanges advertising in Cairo, but you’ll find traders on Telegram groups, peer-to-peer platforms like Paxful, and local vendors accepting USDT. This isn’t speculation—it’s necessity. And it’s happening even though the Central Bank of Egypt has banned financial institutions from handling crypto transactions since 2018. The law exists, but enforcement is uneven. Many use VPNs, local cash traders, or offshore wallets to stay active.
What’s missing? Real infrastructure. There’s no licensed crypto exchange based in Egypt. No regulated wallet providers. No clear tax rules. That’s why most of the activity happens outside official channels. You’ll see people trading via peer-to-peer crypto, direct exchanges between individuals without a middleman platform. Also known as P2P trading, it’s the backbone of crypto use in countries with strict controls. It’s risky—scams are common—but it’s the only option for many. Meanwhile, crypto regulation in Egypt, the government’s evolving stance on digital assets. Also known as Egyptian crypto laws, it’s shifting slowly. Officials have hinted at exploring a central bank digital currency, but no concrete steps have been taken. Meanwhile, the real innovation is happening underground: small businesses accepting crypto for goods, students using crypto to pay for online courses, and freelancers getting paid in USDT to avoid currency conversion fees.
There’s no official data on how many Egyptians hold crypto, but estimates from blockchain analytics firms suggest over 1.5 million people—roughly 1 in 60—are active users. That’s more than the population of some European capitals. And it’s growing, not shrinking. The real story isn’t in headlines about bans or crackdowns. It’s in the quiet persistence of people using technology to take control of their money when the system fails them.
Below, you’ll find real reviews, risks, and case studies from across the crypto world that mirror what’s happening in Egypt: the scams to avoid, the tools that actually work, and the global trends shaping how people survive outside traditional finance. These aren’t just guides—they’re survival maps for anyone navigating crypto in a restrictive environment.
Central Bank of Egypt Crypto Ban: What’s Really Happening in 2025
Egypt bans cryptocurrency trading under strict 2020 law, but actively uses blockchain for government systems. Learn how the Central Bank of Egypt enforces its crypto ban - and why digital currency is still on the table.