Algeria Enforces Total Ban on Cryptocurrencies with Harsh Penalties

Algeria has officially banned all forms of cryptocurrency use, creation, and exchange under Law 25-10, published in the Official Journal on July 24, 2025. The law introduces severe penalties, including prison sentences and hefty fines, to strengthen the country’s fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

In a landmark regulatory move, Algeria has taken a decisive stance against digital currencies by implementing Law 25-10, which amends the existing anti-money laundering legislation. The new law prohibits:

• Issuance of virtual assets of any kind

• Purchase, sale, or possession of cryptocurrencies

• Use as a means of payment or investment

• Promotion or advertising of digital assets

• Operation or creation of exchange platforms or wallets

  
  

Even holding cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Tether (USDT) is now a criminal offense.

Penalties under Article 31 bis include:

• Prison terms from 2 months to 1 year

• Fines between 200,000 and 1,000,000 Algerian dinars

• Or both, depending on the severity of the violation

  
  

Authorities justify this strict approach as a necessary measure to ensure financial transparency and curb risks associated with unregulated digital currencies, including fraud, illicit financing, and tax evasion.

Law 25-10 cements Algeria’s hardline stance on cryptocurrencies, closing the door on any form of digital currency use within its borders. The move aims to safeguard the national economy, eliminate financial gray areas, and maintain control over monetary flows in an increasingly digital world.