Ghana has formally legalized cryptocurrency trading after lawmakers approved a new regulatory framework for the sector. Parliament passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill into law, granting legal status to crypto activity in the country, according to a report by the state-owned Daily Graphic.

Bank of Ghana Governor Johnson Asiama confirmed the move, stating that digital asset trading is now permitted under national law. “Virtual asset trading is now legal, and no one will be arrested for engaging in cryptocurrency, but we now have a framework to manage the risks involved,” Asiama said during a central bank event on Friday. The legislation follows earlier signals from the central bank that regulation was targeted for introduction by the end of 2025.

Central bank takes regulatory control

The new law places oversight of the crypto industry under the Bank of Ghana, giving it authority to license and supervise crypto asset service providers. According to Asiama, the framework is designed to reduce risks related to fraud, money laundering and broader financial stability, while also removing long-standing uncertainty around the legality of cryptocurrencies.

“What this means is that now we have the framework to manage it and to manage the risks that can involve that kind of activity [...] These are not just legal milestones; they are enablers of better policies, stronger supervision and more effective regulation.” He added that the regulatory clarity is also intended to encourage innovation and improve financial inclusion, particularly among younger and tech-oriented participants.

Ghana emerges as a regional crypto hub

The regulatory push comes as Ghana strengthens its position within Africa’s crypto landscape. Data from Chainalysis’ 2025 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report shows that Ghana ranked among the top five Sub-Saharan African countries by total crypto value received between July 2024 and June 2025.

While Nigeria remained the region’s largest market, with roughly $92 billion in crypto value over the same period, Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole recorded more than $205 billion in on-chain activity. That figure represents year-on-year growth of around 52%, making the region the third-fastest growing crypto market globally, behind Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Sources:

https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/ghana-legalises-cryptocurrency-trading-with-passage-of-new-law.html

https://cointelegraph.com/news/ghana-passes-law-to-legalize-crypto-trading-central-bank-governor-says

https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/subsaharan-africa-crypto-adoption-2025/