Crypto Laws in Algeria: What You Need to Know About Trading and Ownership

When it comes to crypto laws in Algeria, a strict legal framework that prohibits all cryptocurrency transactions under national banking regulations. Also known as Algeria cryptocurrency ban, this policy has been in place since 2018 and remains one of the toughest in Africa. Unlike countries that regulate crypto, Algeria doesn’t allow banks, payment processors, or businesses to touch digital assets. The Central Bank of Algeria (BCA) treats Bitcoin, Ethereum, and all other cryptos as illegal financial instruments — not just unregulated, but outright forbidden.

This ban doesn’t just stop exchanges. It blocks everything: buying with local currency, sending crypto to friends, even holding it in a wallet. The law targets the financial system, not just users. If you’re caught using crypto to pay for goods or send money abroad, you could face fines or legal trouble. The government fears crypto could undermine the Algerian dinar, fuel black-market activity, or bypass capital controls. But here’s the twist: people still trade. Thousands use P2P platforms like LocalBitcoins and Paxful to buy Bitcoin with cash or mobile money. Stablecoins like USDT are especially popular because they’re easier to move and harder to trace than volatile altcoins.

The real impact isn’t in the law itself — it’s in the gap between law and reality. While the state claims total control, Algerians have built underground networks. Students, freelancers, and small business owners use crypto to get paid from abroad, avoid inflation, or send remittances to family overseas. Some even trade crypto through informal networks, meeting in person to swap cash for digital tokens. This isn’t a tech trend — it’s survival. Meanwhile, regulators haven’t cracked down hard on individuals, likely because enforcement is nearly impossible. They focus on banks and big players, not the person trading $50 worth of Bitcoin in a café.

What about taxes? There are none — because crypto isn’t recognized. No one reports crypto gains, and no one gets a tax bill. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you’re caught, you won’t be taxed — you’ll be investigated. And if you use a foreign exchange that doesn’t support Algeria, your account could be frozen. There’s no legal path to buy crypto in Algeria, no licensed exchange, no official guidance. That’s why most Algerians rely on trial, error, and word-of-mouth advice.

There’s also no clear path forward. Unlike Nigeria or Kenya, where crypto is tolerated or slowly regulated, Algeria shows no signs of changing its stance. Even in 2025, with blockchain adoption growing across Africa, the government holds firm. The only hope for change? Pressure from the youth, diaspora remittances, or economic crisis forcing a rethink. Until then, crypto in Algeria exists in the shadows — risky, illegal, but stubbornly alive.

Below, you’ll find real stories, practical workarounds, and deep dives into how Algerians navigate this legal gray zone — without breaking the law, but still getting the job done.