Cameroon vs Rwanda
Crypto regulation comparison
Cameroon
Rwanda
Restricted
Restricted
Cameroon has no specific national cryptocurrency legislation. As a CEMAC member, COBAC issued a 2022 directive banning financial institutions from facilitating crypto transactions. BEAC opposes crypto regulation and does not recognize cryptocurrencies. Individual ownership is not explicitly banned but access via formal banking is restricted.
Rwanda is developing a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The NBR and Capital Markets Authority are drafting a law requiring VASPs to obtain CMA licenses. The draft law prohibits crypto as legal tender, bans mining and crypto ATMs, and imposes fines up to 30M RWF and imprisonment for unlicensed operators.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
BEAC (Bank of Central African States), COBAC
Regulator
National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable — COBAC bans financial institutions from crypto transactions
Stablecoin Rules
Draft law prohibits crypto as payment; mining and crypto ATMs banned
Key Points
- No specific national cryptocurrency legislation
- COBAC 2022 directive bans banks and payment providers from facilitating crypto transactions
- BEAC firmly opposes cryptocurrency regulation in the CEMAC region
- Part of the CEMAC monetary zone with the CFA franc
- Nearly 900,000 crypto users in Cameroon despite restrictive banking environment
Key Points
- Draft law requires VASPs to obtain licenses from Capital Markets Authority
- Crypto prohibited as legal tender or payment method under draft law
- Crypto mining, crypto ATMs, and mixer/tumbler services banned
- Penalties include fines up to 30M RWF and up to 5 years imprisonment
- Framework driven by FATF compliance on AML requirements