Algeria completely bans Crypto Assets! Mining and trading are both illegal, with a maximum imprisonment of 1 year for violators (Regulatory Dynamics Express)

Algeria has officially implemented the world's strictest cryptocurrency ban. The Law No. 25-10, issued on July 24, 2025, categorizes digital asset Mining, trading, holding, and promotion as criminal offenses. Offenders will face 2-12 months of imprisonment and fines ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000 dinars (1,537.51-7,687.55 USD), with harsher penalties for those involved in organized crime. This move aims to prevent Money Laundering risks, but it contradicts the regulatory trends in countries like the US and Brazil, leading to fears that North African Bitcoin Mining Farms may face complete shutdown.

Comprehensive Illegalization of Crypto Assets

According to the Algerian authoritative media Fibladi, the country's latest Law No. 25-10 has been published in Issue No. 48 of the Official Gazette, directly amending the anti-money laundering regulations. The core provision of the bill, Article 6a, explicitly states:

Prohibit any form of issuance, purchase, sale, holding, use, or promotion of crypto assets The scope of the ban covers:

• Domestic/Online Digital Asset Trading Platform Operation
• Indirect crypto assets activities conducted through intermediaries
• The production and dissemination of virtual currencies such as Bitcoin

Mining Farm Doomsday: End of the Power Bonus

It is worth noting that this ban explicitly prohibits Crypto Assets Mining. The southern region of Algeria had previously attracted a large number of miners due to low electricity prices, but now both individual miners and commercial Mining Farms are illegal. Legal experts point out that this move aims to prevent the impact of the volatility of digital assets and the opacity of transactions on the financial system, while also meeting the international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for anti-money laundering.

Criminal Penalty Details Exposed

According to Article 31a of the Act, violations will face:

• Basic Penalty: Imprisonment for a term of 2 months to 1 year, or a fine of 200,000 to 1,000,000 dinars, or both.
• Aggravating Circumstances: Involves organized crime networks or financial crimes such as Money Laundering, the maximum sentence and fines are increased.

The Contrarian of Global Regulatory Trends

Algeria's comprehensive ban stands in stark contrast to international regulatory trends:

• United States: The GENIUS Act has been passed by Congress, establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoin classification.
• Pakistan: Softening its anti-crypto stance, promoting blockchain financial inclusivity programs. This measure makes Algeria one of the few countries in the world to impose criminal penalties on crypto assets, which may force local crypto holders to urgently dispose of their assets and prompt mining farms in North Africa to migrate to regions with more relaxed regulations.

Conclusion: Algeria's extreme regulatory measures have completely closed the window for the legalization of Crypto Assets, and holding Bitcoin and other digital assets constitutes a criminal offense. Under the deterrent of severe penalties, the country's Crypto Legal Currency In and Out Channels will be fully frozen, and existing Mining Farm equipment is facing mandatory shutdown. Although this move strengthens the anti-money laundering defenses, it may force blockchain technology talent to flow out, and Crypto Assets investors need to be wary of the chain reaction of the North Africa Regulatory Winter.