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Central Bank Moves to Regulate Digital Assets as Crypto Trading Grows


Central Bank Moves to Regulate Digital Assets as Crypto Trading Grows

The National Bank Ethiopia has announced that it is working on regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe and orderly participation of stakeholders in emerging digital asset technologies, following growing activity in peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency trading and exchange. The Bank stated that cryptocurrency transactions remain prohibited under the current legal framework. It emphasised that operating trading platforms, exchanges, or similar digital asset services is not permitted without explicit authorization from the Bank. The statement also highlights concerns over recent international financial and technical challenges associated with P2P platforms and crypto assets, including instances where users’ access to funds has been restricted. The Bank cautioned the public about the risks of volatility, market manipulation, fraud, scams, and other operational vulnerabilities, noting the absence of safeguards outside the regulated financial system.

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Prime Capital Joins ESX, Seeks Securities Dealership Licence

Prime Capital has secured trading membership on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) and is pursuing a securities dealership licence to expand its brokerage and investment banking services, according to Head of Business Development and Marketing Fikremarkos. The firm received its trading membership after obtaining an investment banking licence from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and meeting all ESX requirements. The licence authorises Prime Capital to execute securities tran...


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Parliament Ratifies Tax Amendment, Assigns PMO to Lead Conciliation, Imposes 10pc Penalty on Late Evidence

The Prime Minister's Office will appoint independent tax conciliators while taxpayers face a 10pc penalty for late evidence under the Federal Tax Administration Amendment ratified by Parliament last week. By shifting the selection of “conciliators” from the tax authority to the PMO, authorities aim to establish a neutral dispute-resolution system to speed up out-of-court settlements. Experts describe the move as a high-stakes reform with notable institutional risks. The legislation, pa...


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ZamZam Bank Registers Shares, Eyes Capital Market Debut

ZamZam Bank has secured approval from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) to register its shares, becoming the first fully interest-free bank to complete the regulatory process for public trading. The approval covers five million existing shares worth five billion Br and one million bonus shares valued at one billion Br, paving the way for the Bank's future participation in Ethiopia's capital market. ZamZam plans to raise its capital to 15 billion Br and introduce Sharia-compliant i...