Algeria Crypto Ban: What Happens If You Trade Crypto There in 2025

When it comes to Algeria crypto ban, a complete legal prohibition on all cryptocurrency transactions, trading, and mining enforced by the Algerian government since 2018. Also known as crypto prohibition in Algeria, it’s one of the strictest crypto policies in North Africa. Unlike countries that regulate crypto, Algeria doesn’t just restrict it—it criminalizes it.

The Algerian central bank, the Banque d'Algérie, is the sole authority over financial transactions in the country and has made it clear that digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum have no legal standing. Any transaction involving crypto—buying, selling, exchanging, or even holding—is considered illegal under Article 10 of the 2018 Finance Law. Violations can lead to fines, asset seizure, and even prison time. This isn’t a gray area. If you’re caught trading crypto in Algeria, you’re breaking the law.

The Algerian government, a state that tightly controls foreign currency and capital flow sees crypto as a threat to its monetary control. With a struggling economy and strict foreign exchange rules, officials fear crypto could drain national reserves or enable tax evasion. They’ve also cracked down on crypto ATMs, peer-to-peer platforms, and even VPNs used to access foreign exchanges. Despite this, crypto use hasn’t disappeared—it’s gone underground. Many Algerians use informal networks, trusted friends, or offshore platforms to trade, often at great personal risk.

Compare this to Tunisia, where crypto is also banned but enforcement is inconsistent, or Cambodia, where banks are blocked from handling crypto but users can still trade through licensed platforms. Algeria doesn’t offer exceptions. There’s no licensing system. No legal path. No gray zone. If you’re using crypto in Algeria, you’re operating outside the law.

What does this mean for someone living there? You won’t find a single regulated exchange operating openly. No Coinbase, no Binance, no Kraken. Even crypto-related content on social media is monitored. Wallets aren’t illegal per se, but transferring funds into or out of them is. And if you’re caught using a local business that accepts crypto—even for a small service—you could face legal consequences.

But here’s the thing: bans don’t stop demand. They just push it into the shadows. In Algeria, crypto isn’t about speculation—it’s about survival. With inflation rising and the dinar losing value, people turn to Bitcoin not as an investment, but as a store of value. They trade through trusted networks, use cash-to-crypto peer-to-peer deals, and rely on diaspora communities abroad to send funds. It’s risky, but for many, it’s the only option.

Below you’ll find real stories, legal breakdowns, and case studies from people who’ve navigated this system. Some got lucky. Others got caught. All of them had to make a choice: follow the law, or find a way to survive.