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Ghana Parliament has passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, a major step toward the country’s fast-growing crypto sector.
Author: Sahil Thakur
Published On: Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:10:42 GMT
24th December 2025 – Ghana Parliament has passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, marking a major step toward regulating the country’s fast-growing crypto sector. This is the first national law to formally recognize and legalize crypto trading in the country.
The announcement was made by Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Asiamah at an event in Accra. He called the legislation a shift toward “clear, accountable, and well-governed boundaries” for digital asset activity.
Until now, cryptocurrency use in Ghana operated in a legal gray area. With the new bill, buying, selling, and holding virtual assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum is officially permitted. Citizens will no longer risk arrest for using digital currencies.
The law outlines a regulatory framework that requires all crypto service providers, including exchanges and wallet operators, to register and obtain licenses. The Bank of Ghana will take on the role of lead regulator. In some cases, the Securities and Exchange Commission will also be involved in oversight.
Officials say the law aims to strike a balance between innovation and consumer safety. It includes provisions to prevent fraud, money laundering, and misuse of customer funds. Companies offering virtual asset services must comply with capital requirements, submit regular reports, and undergo inspections.
Firms that fail to meet these standards could face fines or lose their operating licenses.
The central bank stressed that phased implementation will follow. Specific regulatory instruments are expected in early 2026. This will give companies time to prepare for compliance.
The move comes as digital asset adoption accelerates across Ghana. Officials estimate that nearly three million people—roughly 17 percent of the adult population, have participated in crypto transactions.
In the year ending June 2024, crypto trading volume in Ghana reached approximately three billion dollars, according to Web3 Africa Group. While smaller than Nigeria’s crypto market, the figure reflects the growing use of digital assets in local commerce, savings, and cross-border payments.
Ghana’s lawmakers drafted the bill with caution. They studied the fallout from the 2022 global crypto crash, which exposed major weaknesses in unregulated markets. As a result, they designed the new law to include safeguards that can help avoid similar damage.
Officials believe that well-enforced regulation can reduce systemic risk. They aim to protect consumers without halting innovation. Instead of banning crypto, the government wants to guide its growth in a way that supports broader financial stability.
Bank of Ghana officials also emphasized that oversight will evolve. As new technologies emerge, they plan to update the rules to stay ahead of potential threats.
By passing this bill, Ghana has taken a leading role in Africa’s push to regulate digital assets. Other countries, like Nigeria and Kenya, have issued guidance or launched pilot programs. But Ghana is one of the first to turn crypto regulation into formal law.
This move could give Ghana a competitive edge. It may draw in global crypto firms looking for legal clarity and a stable environment to expand.
The bill still needs the president’s signature before it becomes law. However, Bank of Ghana officials said they are ready to roll out licensing requirements soon after. Once implemented, these rules will begin shaping a more secure, transparent crypto market in Ghana.
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Ghana has officially legalized Bitcoin and crypto trading! 🇬đź‡đźš€ With the enactment of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, the Bank of Ghana has transitioned from a cautious approach to a structured regulatory framework. This effectively ends the legal uncertainty https://t.co/mHJJpJGssI
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