When we talk about crypto restrictions in China, a sweeping government policy that bans cryptocurrency trading, mining, and exchanges while promoting a state-controlled digital currency. Also known as China’s cryptocurrency ban, it’s one of the most aggressive regulatory moves in crypto history. Unlike countries that try to regulate crypto with licensing or taxes, China simply shut it down—no gray area, no exceptions.
This isn’t just about stopping Bitcoin. It’s about control. The government doesn’t want citizens using decentralized money that can’t be tracked, taxed, or frozen. That’s why they launched the digital yuan, China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) that gives authorities full visibility into every transaction. Also known as e-CNY, it’s the exact opposite of Bitcoin—designed for surveillance, not privacy. While you can’t trade Ethereum or BNB on Chinese exchanges anymore, you can spend digital yuan at grocery stores, subway stations, and online shops—all monitored by the state.
The ban on crypto mining, a practice that once made China home to 70% of the world’s Bitcoin mining. Also known as crypto mining crackdown, it wasn’t just about control—it was about energy. The government saw miners draining power grids and blamed them for carbon emissions. So in 2021, they shut down entire mining farms in Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang overnight. Miners scattered to Kazakhstan, the U.S., and Canada. But the damage was done: China went from leading the world in crypto mining to having zero legal mining operations.
What does this mean for you if you’re outside China? Plenty. When China bans something, global markets feel it. Crypto prices dropped hard in 2021 because traders feared other countries would follow. Even today, Chinese users still find ways to trade via P2P platforms or offshore exchanges—but they’re at risk. No legal protection. No recourse if hacked. And if you’re caught, you could face fines or worse.
Meanwhile, China keeps building its own blockchain tech—just not for public use. They’re testing blockchain for supply chains, land records, and even voting systems. But these aren’t decentralized. They’re private, permissioned networks controlled by the state. So while the world talks about Web3 and decentralization, China is quietly building Web2.5—where technology serves the government, not the user.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a clear picture of how crypto regulation works in practice. You’ll see how Iraq banned crypto and pushed its own digital currency. How Australia demands strict registration for exchanges. How Malta became a crypto hub by offering clear rules and low taxes. These aren’t random stories—they’re all part of the same global shift: governments choosing control over chaos. And China? They didn’t just choose a side. They rewrote the rules.
As of June 2025, Chinese citizens are banned from owning or trading any cryptocurrency. This comprehensive ban, enforced by the PBOC, shuts down all crypto activity, from mining to personal wallets, to protect financial control and promote the digital yuan.