Algeria Implements Nationwide Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities to Curb Financial Crime

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Algeria has enacted a sweeping law that bans all forms of cryptocurrency activity within its borders. The new measure, which criminalizes everything from crypto trading to mining and even promotion, is part of a broader effort to protect the country’s financial system and strengthen the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

Law No. 25-10, issued on July 24, 2025, was published in the Official Journal No. 48 and formally amends Algeria’s anti-money laundering framework. A key component of the legislation is Article 6a, which outlaws “any form of issuance, purchase, sale, possession, use or promotion of crypto-assets.” The ban extends to the management of cryptocurrency platforms and wallets, even if the services are offered online or based outside the country. The law also criminalizes indirect involvement, including through intermediaries.

Previously, Algeria had seen a modest growth in crypto mining, particularly in southern regions where electricity is more affordable. That activity has now been explicitly prohibited. The law forbids the production, distribution, or promotion of any virtual currency, effectively eliminating the possibility of both commercial and personal mining operations.

Violators face steep consequences. According to Article 31a, penalties range from two months to one year in prison and fines between 200,000 and 1,000,000 Algerian dinars (approximately $1,500 to $7,500). Offenses connected to organized crime or financial misconduct, such as money laundering, can result in even harsher punishment.

Legal analysts view the legislation as a protective response to the risks posed by digital currencies. Authorities have expressed concern over the high volatility of crypto-assets and the lack of transparency in many transactions. The law also brings Algeria into closer alignment with international anti-money laundering standards, including those outlined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organization that promotes global financial integrity.

Algeria’s position contrasts sharply with global trends toward regulatory accommodation of digital assets. In the United States, for instance, Congress recently passed the Guiding Emerging Nations with Innovation and Uplifting Standards (GENIUS) Act—the first major federal crypto legislation. That law aims to differentiate between types of digital assets, particularly stablecoins used for payments and those designed for investment, signaling a more nuanced approach to oversight rather than outright prohibition.

Elsewhere, emerging markets like Pakistan have started to soften previously strict stances against crypto. Regulatory agencies are now exploring frameworks for oversight, driven by the technology’s potential to expand financial access and foster economic innovation.

By contrast, Algeria has opted for a zero-tolerance policy, placing itself among a shrinking group of nations taking a hardline stance against digital currencies. While the government views this move as necessary to safeguard national interests, critics argue that it could hinder innovation and isolate the country from evolving financial systems across the globe.