Rwanda — crypto regulation

Status: partial · Last reviewed 2026-11-05

Rwanda moved from a central bank view that crypto was illegal to a full licensing law. Law No. 023/2026 regulating virtual asset business was signed on 25 May 2026 and took effect on publication in the Official Gazette on 28 May 2026. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) is the lead regulator and licenses all virtual asset service providers, and must approve token issuance, stablecoins and tokenisation of real-world assets. The National Bank of Rwanda handles payments and financial stability and runs a joint sandbox with the CMA. Individuals may not run a virtual asset business, crypto is not legal tender, and mining, crypto ATMs and mixers are barred without CMA approval. The CMA had not yet issued the regulations that set licence procedures and capital requirements as of late 2026, so no licences have been granted.

Legislation