Ghana has formally legalized cryptocurrency trading under a new law that brings all digital asset activity under central bank control.
Ghana has legalized cryptocurrency trading after passing the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025.
The Bank of Ghana confirmed that the law is in force. Crypto activity is no longer a legal gray area, and individuals and firms can trade without fear of arrest.
The bill sets a single rule set for digital assets. The goal is control, not a ban and now, the central bank has complete authority over the sector.
What Changes for the Market
Before this law, crypto use was widespread but unregulated. That gap exposed users to fraud and made enforcement difficult. The new framework ends that uncertainty.
As per local reports, all virtual asset firms must now seek approval. Licensing, monitoring, and compliance are mandatory. Operators that fail to meet standards can be sanctioned or shut down.
The central bank says this structure targets fraud, money laundering, and misuse of customer funds. Consumer protection is the core focus.
The announcement was made on December 19 in Accra, Ghana’s capital. Officials said that the move was a result of the lessons from the 2022 financial crisis, when weak oversight led to large losses and damaged trust.
Alongside the crypto law, amendments to the Bank of Ghana Act have also been introduced. The intent is to avoid another systemic shock while allowing controlled growth for digital assets in the country.
Impact on Adoption and Capital
Crypto use in Ghana did not start with this law. Hundreds of thousands of users were already active, mainly through exchanges and wallets operating without formal approval.
Regulation now clears the way for legal businesses to enter. International exchanges and fintech firms had stayed out due to legal risk. That barrier is removed.
Officials expect this to bring jobs, tax revenue, and capital. Youth-led fintech activity is a priority, especially for payments and remittances.
The Bank of Ghana will roll out licensing rules and supervision in phases during 2026. Existing operators must register and comply to continue operating.
While crypto is allowed, risk-taking without rules is not. The market is open, but it will be watched closely, revealed Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama.
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