Is crypto legal in Sierra Leone? Regulation & rules (2026)

Sierra Leone has enacted no statute or regulation specifically governing virtual assets, ICOs, stablecoins, or crypto exchanges. Existing financial-sector laws (Banking Act 2019, AML/CFT Act 2012) apply by default but contain no crypto-specific provisions.

The Bank of Sierra Leone operates a Regulatory Sandbox Pilot admitting up to six fintechs per cohort to test innovative financial products in a live environment under BSL oversight. The sandbox is general-purpose and not crypto-specific.

The NPSA 2022 modernises Sierra Leone's payments infrastructure and is central to the BSL 2024-2028 Strategic Plan; it covers digital payment services and e-money but does not address crypto-assets or VASPs.

Sierra Leone is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), the FATF-style regional body. The AML/CFT Act 2012 applies to financial institutions, but no VASP-specific registration or travel-rule obligations have been enacted domestically.

Finance Act 2021 introduced a 1.5% digital services tax on the turnover of all digital and electronic transactions and reduced capital gains tax from 30% to 25%. No crypto-specific tax rules or National Revenue Authority guidance have been issued.

The government has explored blockchain for public-sector transparency and financial inclusion (e.g. blockchain-based credit bureau); however, this interest has not translated into a formal crypto regulatory or licensing framework.