Ghana has officially legalized trading in digital assets. With the passage of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, the fast-growing crypto sector will receive a clear legal framework for the first time. The new law should ensure better supervision, more consumer protection and more trust in digital assets.
The law was passed by the Ghanaian parliament about three months after its introduction. An exact effective date has not yet been announced, but regulators have already started preparations for the introduction.
Ghana legalizes trading in digital assets
With the new law, it is now permitted to trade in digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, in Ghana. This will remove the legal uncertainty that has surrounded the sector until now. According to the Ghanaian central bank, this means that citizens and companies are no longer at risk of sanctions for trading in crypto.
However, cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender. The Ghanaian cedi remains the country’s only official currency.
Bank of Ghana given central supervisory role
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has been designated as the primary regulator of the crypto sector. Investment and securities related activities are the responsibility of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). To strengthen supervision, the central bank has established a special Virtual Assets Regulatory Office.
The BoG and the SEC will release additional rules and guidance in the coming months. These should make it clear what requirements crypto companies and service providers must meet to legally operate in Ghana.
Millions of Ghanaians active in crypto
Interest in digital assets has increased significantly in Ghana in recent years, especially among young people. The government estimates that about 3 million Ghanaians, almost one in five residents, own a digital asset.
According to figures from blockchain analytics company Chainalysis, Ghana is among the top five African countries in terms of the value of digital currencies received in the year ending June 2025. Trade volume also grew strongly nationally. In the first eleven months of last year, approximately $10 billion worth of crypto transactions were carried out, a significant increase compared to the previous year.
More protection against crypto scams
An important goal of the new law is to protect consumers and investors. In Ghana, many people have fallen victim to crypto fraud in the past, including pyramid schemes and fake investment platforms. These often targeted inexperienced investors.
According to BoG Governor Johnson Asiama, the new law gives the government better tools to manage risks and tackle fraud. Last month, the government froze more than $15 million in digital assets linked to an international fraud case.
Positive reactions from the Ghanaian crypto sector
The Ghanaian crypto community is responding positively to the legalization of digital assets. Entrepreneurs and developers expect that the new rules will stimulate innovation and make international cooperation easier.
According to startups in Accra, the legal framework finally offers clarity and certainty. This allows them to work on blockchain solutions for international payments and cross-border trade, without fear of sudden government interventions.
Ghana joins African crypto regulation
Ghana is not alone in this development. Earlier this year, Kenya also introduced new legislation for digital assets, with licensing requirements and investor protection rules. More and more African countries are opting for regulation instead of bans.
With the new law, Ghana positions itself as a country that wants to combine the growth of the crypto market with supervision, security and trust. This should offer both local users and international parties more certainty.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/ghana-voert-duidelijke-regels-in-voor-cryptovaluta-en-digitale-activa/
