Algeria Imposes Comprehensive Cryptocurrency Prohibition, Outlawing All Digital Asset Actions under the New Legal Regime.
In a move that sets Algeria apart from many countries, the North African nation has officially banned all cryptocurrency-related activities. According to the revised law, Law No. 25-10, published on July 24, 2025, the possession, trading, mining, issuance, purchase, sale, use, and promotion of any cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins, are now illegal.
The specific activities prohibited under the law also extend to the operation or management of crypto trading platforms, digital wallets, advertising or marketing of crypto services, and any form of crypto product promotion. These activities are banned both on Algerian territory and online.
Violators of the new law face penalties ranging from two months to one year in prison and fines between 200,000 and 1,000,000 Algerian dinars (approximately $1,540 to $7,700). Both prison terms and fines can be applied together for violations. This makes Algeria's stance one of the strictest worldwide, aiming to prevent fraud, financial instability, and align with international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
The Algerian government argues that the ban is vital for safeguarding national monetary sovereignty. The ongoing tug-of-war between state control and emerging technologies has entered a new phase, with Algeria's digital wall as a significant development.
This zero-tolerance approach places Algeria in stark contrast to prevailing trends in the global crypto landscape. While the United States continues its complex, often contradictory, regulatory push regarding cryptocurrencies, regional neighbors like the UAE are positioning themselves as crypto-friendly hubs. The European Union is also rolling out the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation to standardize and legitimize the sector.
Local technologists and those who saw crypto as a hedge against inflation or a vehicle for financial inclusion in Algeria may need to seek opportunities elsewhere. The earlier legislation in 2018 was vague and inconsistently enforced, but the government has drawn a clear line against cryptocurrencies, leaving users to decide whether they will retreat from crypto altogether or push their activities deeper underground.
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- Despite the ban on cryptocurrency activities, there remains a need for alternative financial solutions for businesses and individuals in Algeria seeking financial inclusion, which could potentially be addressed through traditional finance or innovative technology-driven financial services.
- In light of Algeria's strict cryptocurrency ban, corporations looking to expand into the North African business landscape may now prioritize compliance with local anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations to ensure their operations are in line with the government's stance.
