Tunisia blockchain policy: What’s legal, what’s banned, and how it affects crypto users
When it comes to Tunisia blockchain policy, the government’s official stance on digital assets and blockchain technology. Also known as Tunisian crypto regulations, it’s a mix of silence, caution, and sudden enforcement. Unlike countries that rushed to ban or embrace crypto, Tunisia has spent years watching—then acting. In 2024, the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) made it clear: no bank can process crypto transactions. That’s not a suggestion. It’s a rule. And it’s enforced with fines, account freezes, and even criminal referrals for repeat offenders.
This policy doesn’t just target exchanges. It reaches into wallets, peer-to-peer trades, and even mining rigs running in garages. The government doesn’t say crypto is illegal—but it makes using it as close to impossible as possible. Local users who try to bypass restrictions with VPNs or foreign platforms risk losing access to their own bank accounts. Meanwhile, blockchain startups, companies building decentralized applications or smart contract tools in Tunisia. Also known as Tunisian Web3 ventures, it can’t open business bank accounts, hire local staff through payroll systems, or even accept payments in fiat from domestic clients. Many have shut down or moved to Morocco or Egypt. The crypto exchange restrictions Tunisia, the legal barriers preventing local access to global platforms like Binance or Bybit. Also known as Tunisian crypto access bans, it is one of the tightest in North Africa.
Why? The government says it’s about preventing money laundering and protecting consumers. But there’s little evidence of widespread crypto fraud in Tunisia—unlike Thailand or India, where scams exploded before crackdowns. Here, the fear is more about losing control. Tunisia’s economy is fragile. The dinar is weak. And the state doesn’t want citizens turning to crypto as an alternative to the banking system. So instead of regulating, they’ve chosen to isolate. The result? A black market for crypto that runs on WhatsApp groups, cash drops, and unofficial traders. No one tracks it. No one protects it. And if you get scammed? You’re on your own.
What’s left for Tunisians? A handful of local projects still operate under the radar—mostly in education and logistics, using blockchain for supply chain tracking or digital IDs. But even those are under pressure. The digital currency Tunisia, the central bank’s push for a state-backed digital dinar. Also known as Tunisian CBDC, it is the only legal digital money. And it’s being rolled out slowly, with pilot programs in public services. But it’s not a crypto. It’s not decentralized. It’s just another government-controlled ledger.
What you’ll find in this collection are real stories from Tunisians who tried to use crypto legally, the risks they faced, and the loopholes they exploited. You’ll see how traders avoid detection, what happens when customs catches a crypto shipment, and why even a simple Bitcoin wallet can trigger a bank investigation. These aren’t theoretical debates. These are life-changing decisions made in silence, under pressure, and with no safety net.
- By Eva van den Bergh
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- 8 Nov 2025
Tunisia's Complete Crypto Ban Explained: Why It Exists and What It Means Today
Tunisia banned all cryptocurrency in 2018, making it illegal to buy, sell, mine, or use Bitcoin. Learn why the government took this extreme step, how it's enforced, and whether change is coming in 2025.