Cambodia Prakas on Transaction Related to Cryptoassets

The Prakas defines cryptoassets as digital representations of value that depend on cryptography and distributed ledger or similar technology. The definition includes tokenized traditional assets, unbacked cryptoassets, stablecoins, utility tokens and securities tokens, while excluding central bank digital currency. For CASP regulation, it also excludes digital representations of fiat currencies, securities and other financial assets.

CASPs are entities that provide cryptoasset services on behalf of customers. The listed service categories are exchange against official currencies or other cryptoassets, transfer services, and custody or administration. The Prakas also defines tokenization, stablecoin, e-wallet and cryptoasset exposure, giving Cambodia’s banking regulator a vocabulary for prudential and licensing supervision.

The Prakas separates cryptoassets into Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 covers cryptoassets that represent traditional financial instruments or reference traditional assets or asset pools. Group 1a covers tokenized traditional assets, including tokenized securities, while Group 1b covers stablecoins with an effective stabilization mechanism referencing traditional assets or pools of such assets. Group 2 captures cryptoassets that do not meet Group 1 criteria, including unbacked cryptoassets that are neither tokenized traditional assets nor stablecoins.

Commercial banks may carry out cryptoasset activities or services only where the relevant prior approval or authorization path is followed. For own-account activities, the Prakas requires prior NBC approval. For customer-facing services, the Prakas points to separate authorization requirements.

The rule places stricter limits on commercial bank balance-sheet activity. Banks are not allowed to issue cryptoassets or carry out, directly or indirectly, own-account Group 2 cryptoasset exposure. Group 1a exposure before risk weighting must not exceed 5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, while Group 1b exposure before risk weighting must not exceed 3% of CET1 capital. Banks also must report cryptoasset exposures quarterly using the appendix format.

Chapter IV addresses services. Commercial banks and payment service institutions wishing to offer listed services must obtain prior authorization from NBC. Other legal entities wishing to operate as CASPs must obtain an NBC license. The services listed in Article 20 are exchange of cryptoassets, transfer of cryptoassets, and safekeeping or administration of cryptoassets or instruments enabling control over cryptoassets.

The Prakas also creates conduct restrictions for CASPs. CASPs may not use customers’ cryptoassets for their own business purposes or facilitate lending and staking of customers’ cryptoassets. They also may not promote the use of cryptoassets as a means of payment for goods and services, and may not advertise specific cryptoassets, although they may advertise their own services.

The Prakas took effect from the signing date, Dec. 26, 2024. Its sanction provisions refer to Article 52 of Cambodia’s Law on Banking and Financial Institutions and add specific fines for prohibited bank issuance or Group 2 activity, breaches of Group 1 exposure thresholds, missed reporting obligations, and other failures to comply after NBC corrective deadlines.

Several implementation details remain important for editors to monitor. The Prakas itself says criteria and conditions for authorizing commercial banks and payment service institutions, and licensing CASPs, are provided in a separate Prakas. Later Cambodian digital-asset licensing materials also indicate continuing development of the broader framework, including non-bank investment-purpose digital asset rules.

This profile is a legal-reference summary for editorial and research use. It is not legal, tax, investment or compliance advice.