Is crypto legal in Cape Verde? Regulation & rules (2026)

Enacted 21 June 2023, the law defines virtual assets as any digital value representation not linked to fiat currency, legalises their use, and mandates prior registration with BCV for any entity providing virtual-asset services professionally in Cape Verde.

Banco de Cabo Verde is designated as the competent authority for verifying AML/CFT compliance by all virtual-asset service providers; non-registered operation is subject to sanctions under Law No. 38/VII/2009 as amended.

In 2024 BCV circulated a consultation draft Aviso detailing documentation and procedural requirements for PSAV registration, including identification of beneficial owners and re-registration obligations when activity scope expands or higher-risk jurisdictions are added.

Law 30/X/2023 simultaneously introduced a digital-bank licence; digital banks are subject to the same capital requirements, risk management, and supervisory duties as conventional banks, with BCV retaining discretion to set specific market-access conditions.

All VASPs must comply with Cape Verde's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist-financing legislation; BCV enforces these obligations as the designated supervisory authority for the sector.

No specific legislation addresses crypto taxation in Cape Verde; gains may in principle fall under general capital-gains provisions, but the tax authority has not issued formal guidance, leaving treatment uncertain.