Algeria outlaws cryptocurrency transactions, including utilization, trading, and mining of digital assets.
In a move that signals a significant shift in its stance towards cryptocurrency, Algeria has enacted a total ban on all activities related to digital assets. The new law, known as Law No. 25-10, was published in the Official Gazette on July 24, 2025, effectively outlawing trading, mining, possession, promotion, and use of digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum [1][2][4].
The legislation, which came into effect on July 24, 2023, treats all crypto activities as financial crimes under its updated anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism framework. Violators face penalties of up to one year in jail and fines of up to one million Algerian dinars (around $7,700) [1][2][3]. Repeat offenders may face even higher fines, up to 2 million dinars (around $14,700) [1][3].
The Algerian government's stance on cryptocurrency is more about slamming the brakes than tapping them, marking the country alongside nations like China that have adopted zero-tolerance policies towards decentralized finance and digital assets [1][2].
The enforcement of the law is being ramped up through judicial and financial authorities, including the Bank of Algeria. This move effectively cuts off all paths to participation in the crypto economy.
However, the real test will be whether this ban truly deters use, or just changes how it's done. Crypto is proving hard to kill, and some believe that the ban may push activities further underground.
This contrasts sharply with the approach taken by countries like Nigeria, which is now exploring central bank digital currencies and crypto-friendly regulations. The rest of Africa is wrestling with the question of how to manage digital assets, and Algeria's hardline stance stands out.
Even Morocco, which banned crypto in 2017, is now drafting a framework to regulate it, recognizing that users haven't exactly gone away.
Youth-driven adoption and underground mining of cryptocurrency had begun to take off in Algeria, especially in regions with cheap electricity. The legislation also bans crypto mining in the country.
In summary, cryptocurrency activities in Algeria are currently fully illegal, and engaging in them can result in criminal prosecution with harsh penalties [1][2][3][4]. Whether this ban will succeed in stifling the growth of cryptocurrency in Algeria remains to be seen.
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 24). Algeria bans all cryptocurrency activities. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/24/algeria-bans-all-cryptocurrency-activities
[2] Reuters. (2025, July 24). Algeria cracks down on cryptocurrency activities with sweeping ban. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/algeria-cracks-down-cryptocurrency-activities-sweeping-ban-2025-07-24/
[3] The Guardian. (2025, July 25). Algeria's full-scale ban on cryptocurrency: what you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/25/algerias-full-scale-ban-on-cryptocurrency-what-you-need-to-know
[4] CNN. (2025, July 26). Algeria bans all cryptocurrency activities, including mining and trading. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/26/business/algeria-cryptocurrency-ban/index.html
Businesses operating in the technology sector must take note of Algeria's recent legislation banning all cryptocurrency activities, as this move could impact the general-news landscape of the global economy. The severe penalties imposed by the new law, which include imprisonment and substantial fines, emphasize the Algerian government's zero-tolerance policy towards digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Understanding these restrictions is crucial for businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of worldwide finance and commerce.
