Crypto & Digital Assets · Zambia
Is crypto legal in Zambia? Rules & regulation (2026)
Zambia shaded by its crypto & digital assets status
Crypto is developing in Zambia, primarily under No dedicated virtual-asset law in force; Bank of Zambia Act (Cap 360), Securities Act No. 41 of 2016 (as amended by Act No. 21 of 2022), Anti-Money Laundering Act, and Financial Intelligence Centre Act applied on an ad-hoc basis; BoZ 2024-2027 Strategic Plan commits to a purpose-built crypto and stablecoin regulatory framework.
Zambia has no comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation as of mid-2026. The Bank of Zambia does not recognise crypto as legal tender and prohibits licensed financial institutions from processing crypto transactions, while the Securities and Exchange Commission evaluates digital assets case-by-case under the Securities Act. The BoZ 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and active regulatory-technology sandbox testing signal a planned transition to a formal licensing regime.
Key points
The Bank of Zambia has issued a formal press release stating cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and that licensed financial institutions are prohibited from facilitating crypto-related transactions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia issued a public notice stating that crypto-assets are not regulated by the Commission unless they meet the definition of a security under the Securities Act No. 41 of 2016; each product is assessed on its specific characteristics, features, and uses.
The Bank of Zambia's seventh Strategic Plan (launched April 2024, theme: 'Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Development in a Digitalised World') explicitly targets development of a regulatory framework for crypto assets and stablecoins.
From 2023, Zambia's Ministry of Technology and Science, the Bank of Zambia, and the SEC jointly began testing blockchain-based regulatory technology; initial phase completion was targeted for mid-2024.
The Financial Intelligence Centre designates virtual asset activities as falling within AML/CFT reporting obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act; entities handling virtual assets must file suspicious transaction reports.
Zambia is scheduled for a FATF mutual evaluation in 2027/2028 and commenced a second-round National Risk Assessment in 2024 with the FIC as lead coordinator, elevating AML/CFT compliance urgency for VASPs.
Zambia - other topics
Crypto & Digital Assets in other countries
Last verified 5/24/2026 · Orientation, not legal advice - verify against the primary sources linked above. Methodology & how to cite · Explore the full world map →