Algeria

In Algeria, cryptocurrency is not just unregulated, it is explicitly banned. All activities related to virtual currencies, including holding, trading, mining, possession, promotion, and their use, are illegal under Algerian law. This prohibition was first introduced by the Financial Law 2018 and has been significantly strengthened by Law No. 25-10, effective July 2025. Engaging in any of these activities can lead to severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment for two months to one year, and fines ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000 Algerian Dinars (approximately $1,500 to $7,700). For anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing purposes, the recent law classifies crypto assets as "property, income, funds, or financial assets," but this reclassification does not legalize their use, it reinforces the criminal aspects. Given the complete ban, there is no governmental body that governs crypto taxation. The Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI), Algeria's general tax authority, has no specific mandate for cryptocurrency as it is a prohibited asset. Enforcement of the ban and prosecution of related offenses fall under the purview of the Banque d'Algérie (Central Bank) and judicial authorities. No legal framework for crypto taxation exists because all crypto-related activities are deemed illegal. Consequently, there are no recognized tax rules for cryptocurrency in Algeria. Individual income tax, capital gains tax, corporate tax, and crypto VAT do not apply to crypto transactions, as these activities are prohibited by law. There are no distinctions between short-term or long-term gains, nor are there any exemption thresholds or allowances. Any engagement with cryptocurrency carries the risk of criminal prosecution rather than tax liability. Specific cryptocurrency activities like staking, mining, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are also prohibited. Mining, in particular, is explicitly criminalized under Law No. 25-10. Converting crypto to fiat currency or engaging in crypto-to-crypto swaps are illegal transactions and are not recognized as taxable events. Similarly, holding cryptocurrency, regardless of the duration, offers no benefits or exemptions as possession itself is unlawful. There are no announced pending reforms indicating a shift towards liberalization or regulation of cryptocurrency in Algeria. The recent Law No. 25-10 rather indicates a strengthened stance on the prohibition.