When you use MetaMask, a non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet that lets you interact with Ethereum and other blockchains. Also known as Ethereum wallet, it gives you full control over your keys—no bank, no government, no middleman. That’s powerful. But in countries where crypto is banned, that same power becomes a target. MetaMask itself doesn’t block users based on location—it’s open source, decentralized, and runs on your device. But your bank, your internet provider, or your government might.
Places like Myanmar, a country where crypto trading leads to immediate bank account closures and possible jail time and Russia, where mining is legal only under strict registration and power restrictions treat crypto like contraband. Even if you’re just holding ETH or USDT in MetaMask, you’re still at risk. Authorities don’t need to see your wallet—they just need to trace your IP, your bank transfers, or your phone number. And if you’re using MetaMask to send money abroad or avoid currency controls, you’re already in the crosshairs.
Some users in banned countries use VPNs to hide their location, or swap crypto through peer-to-peer platforms like LocalBitcoins or Paxful. Others rely on hardware wallets like Ledger, a physical device that stores crypto offline and reduces digital exposure to keep keys safe from remote hacks. But none of this makes it legal. In places like Nigeria, where banks once froze accounts linked to crypto exchanges, people still trade—but quietly. They meet in person. They use cash. They avoid digital trails. MetaMask doesn’t care where you are. The system it connects to doesn’t either. But the people who run your country do.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a guide to breaking laws. It’s a look at what happens when crypto meets real-world restrictions. From account closures in Myanmar to tax rules in Russia, these stories show how people adapt—or get caught. You’ll see why some tokens vanish overnight, why airdrops turn out to be scams, and how even simple tools like MetaMask become political objects in places where finance is controlled. This isn’t about avoiding detection. It’s about understanding the real cost of owning crypto where it’s not welcome.
Non-custodial crypto wallets let you control your money without banks or exchanges-critical in countries where crypto is banned. Learn how they work, their risks, and how to use them safely when financial freedom is on the line.
