Algeria Steps Up the Fight Against Cryptocurrency: It Is Now a Criminal Offense
Date: 2025-07-30 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: IN WORLD
The Algerian authorities have adopted legislative amendments aimed at completely banning any transactions with cryptocurrencies. According to the new law, any actions with digital assets — from purchase and storage to mining and promotion — are now classified as financial crimes.
The document, which is cited by local media, was adopted as part of an update to the legislation to combat terrorist financing and money laundering. The new rules stipulate that digital assets — regardless of their purpose — are equated to financial instruments such as property, income, or funds.
Significant restrictions have also affected the infrastructure of the crypto market: the country has now banned the creation and management of trading platforms for cryptocurrencies, the use of digital wallets through online services and intermediaries. Any such activity will be punishable by law.
The following penalties are provided for violating these rules: imprisonment for a term of two months to one year; a fine of 200,000 to 1 million dinars (equivalent to approximately $1,500–$7,600); or both types of punishment at the same time, depending on the severity of the violation. If the use of cryptocurrencies is associated with criminal groups or other organized crime, the punishment will be much more severe.
In order to identify illegal crypto-activity, government agencies are strengthening control in the digital space. Monitoring of suspicious transactions and online activities will be tightened.
Until now, Algeria has only limited the circulation of cryptocurrencies without introducing direct penalties. The new law for the first time directly equates such activity with criminal liability.
Meanwhile, other countries are also discussing measures to limit cryptocurrencies. In particular, in Russia, the chairman of the financial market committee, Anatoly Aksakov, said in July that the authorities are considering the possibility of introducing fines for paying for goods and services using cryptocurrencies.
In addition, since the beginning of 2025, a ban on mining and participation in mining pools has come into force in some regions of Russia, which will last until March 2031. In some cases, restrictions apply only in the autumn-winter months.
