Huione Pay: Cambodia's Central Bank Refers Customers to the Courts

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has officially stated that the dispute between Huione Pay and its customers is beyond its jurisdiction. In a statement released on April 30, 2026, the NBC encourages affected customers to take their case to the Cambodian courts for redress. This announcement follows protests by dissatisfied customers outside Huione Pay's premises, demanding the refund of frozen funds.

Huione Pay is a popular online payment platform in Cambodia, used by many expatriates for money transfers and daily payments. The dispute involves unauthorized fund withdrawals and accounts frozen without clear explanation.

If you use Huione Pay for your daily transactions, you are directly affected. The NBC will not regulate this dispute: you will need to initiate legal proceedings to recover your funds. This can be lengthy, costly, and uncertain for an expatriate.

In Siem Reap, many expats use Huione Pay to pay rent, make purchases, or transfer money. In case of problems, recourse is limited. Prioritize traditional banks like ACLEDA, ABA, or Canadia Bank, which are regulated by the NBC and offer better protection.

If you have funds frozen with Huione Pay:

• Contact a lawyer specialized in Cambodian law to assess your legal options.
• Gather all transaction records, contracts, and correspondence with Huione Pay.
• File a complaint with the competent court in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
• In the meantime, avoid using Huione Pay for new transactions.

For expatriates not affected: verify that your financial services are licensed by the NBC. The list of authorized financial institutions is available on the central bank's website.

Do not rely on the NBC to intervene: it has clearly stated that this dispute is outside its scope. Beware of intermediaries offering to recover your funds for a commission: these are often scams.

Avoid transferring large sums via non-bank platforms. In Cambodia, payment services like Huione Pay, Wing, or TrueMoney are not covered by the deposit guarantee system. In case of bankruptcy or dispute, you are not protected.

The Huione Pay case could set a precedent. If customers win in court, it could strengthen the regulation of payment services in Cambodia. Conversely, a rejection of complaints could discourage legal action.

Monitor NBC announcements regarding potential new rules for payment platforms. In the meantime, stay cautious and diversify your payment methods.