Algeria Bans All Crypto Activities, Including Ownership and Mining

Algeria has rolled out a strict new law that fully bans all crypto activities, including owning, trading, and even mining digital currencies. This law, enforced from July 24, 2025, means anyone caught using, holding, or mining crypto in Algeria could face up to a year in prison and a heavy fine. Before this, Algeria’s 2018 law banned crypto trading and ownership, but not mining. The new law closes that gap, making Algeria’s crypto restrictions some of the toughest in the world.

Interestingly, experts and commentators think such harsh bans are not very effective. Even after the 2018 ban, Algeria’s crypto market kept growing, and the country now ranks as the sixth largest in the Middle East and North Africa region for cryptocurrencies received in 2024. This shows that people keep finding ways around strict rules, often by using underground sources or international platforms. Such patterns have been seen in other countries like China, India, and Nigeria, where bans pushed crypto activity into the shadows instead of stopping it.

Specialists say it’s almost impossible to fully control crypto because transactions move quickly across borders and platforms. Instead of blanket bans, most experts suggest clear laws and regulation. That way, the government can protect consumers, support new ideas, and keep activity legal and visible.