Assets, Bitcoin

Is Bitcoin Legal in Africa?

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency, without a central bank or single administrator, that can be sent from user to user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain.

Bitcoin is unique in that there are a finite number of them: 21 million.

NOTE: WARNING: It is important to note that Bitcoin’s legal status in Africa is complex and constantly evolving. Please do your own research and consult a qualified attorney before engaging in any Bitcoin activity in Africa. Furthermore, please be aware that different nations across the African continent have different laws and regulations regarding cryptocurrency. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws of each country you plan to transact in before taking any action when it comes to Bitcoin.

Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services.

As of February 2015, over 100,000 merchants and vendors accepted bitcoin as payment.

According to the Library of Congress, an “absolute ban” on trading or using cryptocurrencies applies in eight countries: Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam. An “implicit ban” applies in another 15 countries, which include Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, the Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Lesotho, Lithuania, Macau.

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