Current Global Crypto Assets Regulatory Status: Which Countries Say "No"?

By September 2025, the global regulatory landscape for Crypto Assets is showing a trend of differentiation. More than 50 countries have imposed bans on Digital Money. The extent of these bans varies. Some are complete prohibitions, while others are partial restrictions.

Nine regions have implemented an absolute ban. A complete shutdown. This means that everything is prohibited, from mining to holding, from trading to using. These hardliners include Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, and Tunisia.

Additionally, 42 countries have implemented some form of "invisible ban." It's a bit vague. The main aim is to prevent financial institutions from engaging with these Digital Money and to keep related activities outside their borders. The list is quite long, including countries like Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Cameroon, Turkey, as well as Lebanon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Bolivia, and Nigeria.

Look at the situation in Tunisia. Buying Bitcoin there? Illegal. The Central Bank of Tunisia made a statement as early as 2018. Without a nod from the state, any virtual currency activities are not allowed. Mining is prohibited. Trading is prohibited. Payments are even less allowed. Merchants accepting Crypto Assets payments? Absolutely not permitted. Regulation is very strict.

Why are so many countries resisting Crypto Assets? There are several reasons. Financial stability is a major concern. Protecting currency sovereignty. Capital control issues. Combating money laundering. Preventing terrorist financing. Some countries seem to worry that these Digital Money will threaten the status of their fiat currency. Could it lead to social problems? Waste resources? Therefore, bans have been implemented.

This global regulatory landscape seems to be evolving. Interestingly, the regulatory stance appears to be related to a country's overall position on innovation and financial freedom.