The adoption of the GENIUS Act in the United States on July 18, 2025, became a key catalyst for revising cryptocurrency policies worldwide. This shift prompted many African countries to move away from bans and toward regulation to maintain economic competitiveness. However, Africa's response was uneven: some countries quickly legalized the market and introduced taxes, while others established licensing and oversight systems.
How the GENIUS Act Changed Global Cryptocurrency Regulation
The GENIUS Act, passed on July 18, 2025, effectively ended a period of regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. and served as a signal to regulators in other jurisdictions. As a result, many countries that previously maintained prohibitive policies began shifting toward integrating digital assets into the financial system. For insight into the American context and its global impact, see the overview on U.S. regulation, which details key policy changes.
Ghana: Formalizing a $3 Billion Market
In December 2025, Ghana passed the VASP Act, legalizing cryptocurrency trading and bringing approximately $3 billion in annual turnover out of the legal gray zone into a regulated framework. The law introduces a dual oversight system between the central bank and the Securities Commission, along with a phased rollout of regulatory measures through 2026. Details on these developments and their practical implications for market participants can be found in the article on legalization in Ghana.
Nigeria: Recognizing Crypto as Securities
Nigeria became one of the first African countries to formally include virtual assets under regulation: ISA 2025 classifies virtual assets as securities and transfers oversight to the relevant regulator. This eliminates uncertainty about who controls the sector and simultaneously introduces tax rules for digital asset transactions. This approach changes the legal framework for platforms and services operating in the country.
Kenya, South Africa, and Others: Diverse Approaches
In 2025, Kenya adopted the VASP Act, effective November 4, establishing a dual oversight model: the central bank oversees payment issues and stablecoins, while the capital markets regulator handles licensing of exchanges and VASPs. South Africa is witnessing extensive licensing activity: regulators have received hundreds of applications and issued several hundred approvals. Tanzania introduced a 3% tax on digital asset transactions. Zimbabwe strengthened the legal status of cryptocurrencies by enshrining them as legal assets, with licensing requirements and penalties for unlicensed activity effective after April 30, 2026.
Why This Matters
If you mine cryptocurrency in Russia and manage anywhere from one to a thousand devices, these changes affect regional infrastructure and service availability—even if you have no jurisdictional ties to the mentioned countries. Regulation in Africa is shifting liquidity routes and may impact access to exchange and custodial services you use to sell or exchange mining income. Additionally, the introduction of taxes and licenses in major African markets sets new rules for international services, indirectly affecting miners' operational routines.
What to Do?
Prioritize actions: first, verify that your activities comply with Russian laws and tax regulations; then review contracts and terms of services you use to withdraw crypto for new licensing and reporting requirements. Keep clear records of transactions and retain documents proving the origin of mining income—this will simplify tax payments and communications with payment providers. Finally, stay updated on regulatory changes and use reliable, licensed services for exchanging and storing funds.
Short Answers (FAQ)
Why is GENIUS important for Africa? The adoption of GENIUS on July 18, 2025, served as a signal to reconsider policies and encouraged many African countries to regulate rather than ban cryptocurrencies.
What did Ghana's legislation change? The VASP Act legalized cryptocurrency trading and formalized a market with about $3 billion in annual turnover, introducing a phased transition to licensing and oversight.
Is there a unified regulatory model across the continent? No: countries are taking different paths—from recognizing crypto as securities to imposing taxes and dual oversight—creating a mix of approaches in the region.