Short answer
There’s no credible public record of Prime Minister Hun Manet ever giving a direct, on‑the‑record opinion—positive or negative—about Bitcoin or any specific cryptocurrency.
What we can say with confidence
| Topic | Facts & Sources |
| Regulatory backdrop | Since 2018 Cambodia’s regulators (National Bank of Cambodia, Securities & Exchange Commission, National Police) have banned unlicensed trading or circulation of cryptocurrencies because of money‑laundering and fraud risks . |
| Government priorities under Hun Manet | Digital‑payment modernisation—not open‑ended crypto—is the premier’s focus. In a 27 Jun 2025 speech he praised “modernised payment systems” as growth engines and highlighted the central‑bank digital currency (CBDC) Bakong . |
| Bakong CBDC push | Manet has repeatedly urged the National Bank of Cambodia to expand Bakong for tourists and cross‑border QR payments . |
| FinTech Policy 2023‑28 | His cabinet adopted a national FinTech plan that stresses financial stability and consumer protection while leaving crypto under strict oversight . |
| No personal quotes on Bitcoin | A media sweep covering interviews, speeches, and press releases since he took office (Aug 2023 → Aug 2025) yields zero direct remarks on Bitcoin, ETH, or other coins. |
How to interpret the silence
- Policy speaks louder than words.
In Cambodia every licensed bank and payment firm answers to the central bank. Manet’s public messaging echoes the regulator’s stance: encourage regulated digital finance (Bakong, QR, mobile wallets) while keeping speculative crypto at arm’s length. - Family‑linked controversies = incentive to stay quiet.
Investigations have tied Hun‑family relatives to Huione Group, a conglomerate whose escrow and “Huione Crypto” services have allegedly facilitated multi‑billion‑dollar scams . Even though Manet is not implicated, the optics alone give him every reason not to endorse Bitcoin publicly. - Regional diplomacy angle.
Cambodia works closely with China’s digital‑yuan pilots and with Japan’s cashless‑payment expansion —ecosystems that compete with, rather than embrace, permissionless public‑chain coins like BTC.
Bottom line for Bitcoin watchers
Hun Manet has kept Bitcoin at arm’s length.
All available evidence suggests he defers to the National Bank—which currently bars retail crypto trading—while channeling his political capital into CBDC/Bakong, QR interoperability, and broader FinTech goals.
So until the regulatory climate changes, expect the Cambodian government to promote Bakong and discourage Bitcoin—and expect Hun Manet to maintain his strategic silence.