Cryptocurrency Penalties in Algeria

When it comes to cryptocurrency penalties in Algeria, strict legal restrictions make owning, trading, or using digital currencies a high-risk activity. Also known as crypto bans in Algeria, these rules are enforced under the country’s 2018 central bank decree that declares all cryptocurrency transactions illegal. Unlike countries that regulate crypto, Algeria outright prohibits it—no exceptions for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even stablecoins like USDC.

This isn’t just about fines. The Algerian central bank, the Banque d'Algérie. Also known as Bank of Algeria, it holds full authority over financial activity and sees crypto as a threat to national currency control. Violators can face fines up to 5 million Algerian dinars (around $35,000 USD) and prison time. The law targets both individuals and businesses—even those using crypto for remittances or online purchases. There’s no gray area: if you’re buying, selling, or mining crypto in Algeria, you’re breaking the law.

What makes this even more complex is how people still use crypto anyway. P2P platforms like Binance P2P and LocalBitcoins are quietly active in cities like Algiers and Oran, where traders use cash or mobile money to swap crypto. But each transaction carries risk—customs agents, bank monitors, and even neighborhood informants can trigger investigations. The government doesn’t just punish users; it also blocks access to crypto websites and monitors internet traffic for wallet addresses and exchange logins.

There’s no sign of policy change. While countries like Nigeria and El Salvador have embraced crypto as a financial tool, Algeria doubles down on control. The state still relies on strict capital controls and a state-run banking system, and crypto is seen as a direct challenge to that structure. Even discussions about legalizing crypto for remittances or foreign trade have been shut down by officials.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real-world examples of how crypto rules play out across different countries—like Vietnam’s million-VND fines, Syria’s sanctions headaches, and Kazakhstan’s mining power limits. These aren’t abstract laws. They affect people’s wallets, their access to global markets, and their ability to protect their savings. In Algeria, the penalty isn’t just a fine—it’s a warning: stay off the blockchain, or face the consequences.