Quick Answer
Cryptocurrency is currently illegal for public use in Tunisia.
- A 2018 Central Bank directive criminalizes most crypto-related activities.
- Violations can lead to fines and up to five years’ imprisonment.
Legal Status of Crypto in Tunisia
Cryptocurrency is currently illegal for public use in Tunisia, placing it in a highly restrictive category rather than a legal or gray area. This status is primarily due to a 2018 directive from the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) that criminalized unauthorized virtual currency activities to combat capital flight and money laundering. Regulatory oversight is handled by bodies including the BCT and the Tunisian Financial Analysis Committee (CTAF), which enforce strict anti-money laundering and KYC compliance rules. While the ban remains firm, the BCT operates a regulatory sandbox for limited, controlled fintech experiments, signaling a cautious approach to financial innovation.
Current Regulations
Tunisia’s current crypto regulations are highly restrictive, stemming from a 2018 directive by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) that criminalizes most virtual currency activities without state approval. This ban covers public trading, exchange services, and the use of crypto for payments, with banks required to deny any related transfers. As a result, no permanent licenses are granted for crypto exchanges or custodians, and even mining activities that involve converting coins to dinar are considered a violation. The only exception is for limited, temporary pilots conducted within a tightly controlled national fintech sandbox.
Regulatory Authorities
Several regulatory bodies collectively oversee Tunisia's financial landscape and would be involved in enforcing any crypto-related regulations.
- Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT): The BCT determines the country's monetary policy and is responsible for upholding the current ban on cryptocurrencies. It also runs a regulatory fintech sandbox that allows for limited-scope blockchain and payment experiments.
- Financial Market Council (CMF): As Tunisia's capital-markets watchdog, the CMF is tasked with regulating securities and protecting investors. Should the crypto ban be lifted, the CMF would be responsible for overseeing and licensing any security token offerings.
- National Anti-Money-Laundering Commission (CTAF): This commission functions as Tunisia's Financial Intelligence Unit, monitoring anti-money laundering (AML) compliance across financial establishments. It is responsible for receiving and analyzing suspicious transaction reports from financial institutions.
- Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy: This ministry oversees the "Digital Tunisia" programs and is involved in blockchain technology initiatives for government services. It helps shape the broader regulatory framework for digital innovation in the country.
Historical Context
Tunisia's crypto journey began in a regulatory gray area from 2013 to 2017. The landscape shifted dramatically in May 2018 when the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) banned all crypto transactions, stifling mainstream adoption and driving activity underground. A slight thaw appeared in 2020 with the launch of a BCT regulatory sandbox for controlled fintech experiments. Public debate intensified in 2021 after a teenager was jailed for a crypto exchange, prompting cabinet-level discussions on decriminalization. As of 2025, parliamentary committees are considering a draft bill to decriminalize possession and create a licensing regime, signaling a potential move away from the strict ban.
Compliance Requirements for Businesses in Tunisia
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Checks: Businesses must perform Customer Due Diligence (CDD) to verify identities and apply Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk clients, such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). This includes ongoing transaction monitoring and screening customers against global and domestic watchlists, as outlined in a comprehensive 2025 guide.
- Know Your Customer (KYC) Requirements: A core obligation involves a Customer Identification Program (CIP). This requires verifying a customer's identity using official photo documents (e.g., National Identity Card, passport) and confirming their address with recent utility bills or bank statements, according to requirement documentation.
- Other Mandatory Procedures: Companies are required to retain all KYC and transaction records for at least 10 years. Any suspicious transactions must be reported to the Tunisian Financial Analysis Committee (CTAF) within 10 days. For corporate clients, Know Your Business (KYB) checks are necessary to verify registration documents and identify the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
Why this matters for Cross-Border Payments
For businesses engaged in cross-border payments, Tunisia's strict crypto ban creates significant operational friction by eliminating the use of digital assets for fast, low-cost international transactions. This forces a complete reliance on traditional banking channels, which often introduces slower settlement times, higher fees, and complex foreign exchange controls. These regulatory hurdles can hinder a company's ability to efficiently manage payments to international partners, suppliers, and customers. Ultimately, the inability to leverage modern payment rails can impact global competitiveness and add layers of administrative burden to financial operations.
How Lightspark Enables Compliant Crypto-Native Payments
Lightspark provides a global payments network, the “Money Grid,” built on Bitcoin. It offers two primary products: Lightspark Connect, which lets businesses access the network natively with Bitcoin by managing complex infrastructure like liquidity and routing, and Grid Switch, which enables regulated institutions to connect using domestic real-time payment systems. Together, they bridge traditional finance with crypto rails, enabling instant, low-cost, 24/7 cross-border transactions that bypass the friction of legacy banking.
For regulated entities, Lightspark facilitates compliance rather than handling it directly. Grid Switch allows institutions to leverage their existing fiat-based compliance frameworks while accessing the Money Grid. Features like audit-ready reporting, flexible custody options, and built-in screening for travel rule and OFAC help businesses meet their stringent regulatory duties. This allows them to tap into the speed and efficiency of crypto-native payments without compromising their compliance posture.
To learn more about Lightspark's global payment solutions, visit their website.
Notice: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Sources
- Anastasiia. "KYC Compliance in Tunisia: A 2025 Guide for Digital Businesses." VOVE ID, 21 July 2025, blog.voveid.com/kyc-compliance-in-tunisia-a-2025-guide-for-digital-businesses/.
- Bajpai, Prableen. "Countries Where Bitcoin Is Legal and Illegal." Investopedia, 30 June 2024, www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/041515/countries-where-bitcoin-legal-illegal.asp.
- Coin World. "Tunisia's Crypto Ban Faces Potential Shift With Regulatory Sandbox." AInvest, 16 June 2025, www.ainvest.com/news/tunisia-crypto-ban-faces-potential-shift-regulatory-sandbox-2506/.
- "List of Eligible Countries." Crypto.com Help Center, help.crypto.com/en/articles/9728360-list-of-eligible-countries.
- Mehraneh. "Cryptocurrency Regulations in Tunisia." Coinfomania, 19 June 2025, coinfomania.com/cryptocurrency-regulations-in-tunisia/.
- ShuftiPro. Tunisia - Requirement Documentation. ShuftiPro, 12 Nov. 2019, shuftipro.com/compliances-reports/tunisia.pdf.
- "Which Countries and Regions Allow Cryptocurrency As Legal Tender?" CoinMarketCap, coinmarketcap.com/legal-tender-countries/.
