In the bustling markets of Douala and the tech hubs of Yaoundé, a question is being whispered with increasing urgency: is Bitcoin legal in Cameroon?
For many, the fear isn’t just about the “dip” in the market—it’s the fear of the “knock” at the door. With the Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) tightening its grip, many traders feel like they are walking a tightrope. One wrong move, and you might find your bank account frozen or your hard-earned savings caught in a legal spiderweb.
If you are a trader in 2025, you need more than just a “Buy” signal; you need a legal roadmap. This post breaks down exactly where the law stands today.
Related: How to buy stocks in Cameroon.
The Short Answer: Is Bitcoin Legal in Cameroon?
To understand the current climate, we have to look at the difference between illegal and unregulated.
As of late 2025, there is no specific law in Cameroon’s penal code that says “owning Bitcoin is a crime.” However, Cameroon is a member of the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) zone. This means our financial rules are dictated by BEAC (the Central Bank) and enforced by COBAC.
The Reality Check: While you won’t be arrested simply for having a private wallet on your phone, the bridges between your Bitcoin and your bank account have been heavily guarded—and in many cases, demolished.
1. The COBAC Hammer: What Changed in 2025?
The biggest source of anxiety for traders is the COBAC Directive. In May 2022, COBAC issued a landmark prohibition that remains the law of the land in 2025.
What is prohibited?
- Banks and Microfinances: All banks (like Afriland, SCB, or BICEC) are strictly forbidden from facilitating crypto transactions. They cannot buy, sell, or even hold Bitcoin for themselves or their customers.
- Payment Service Providers: This includes mobile money platforms. If a transaction is flagged as being related to a crypto exchange, the provider is legally bound to block it.
- Settlement in CFA: It is illegal for any financial institution to settle or cover crypto-related transactions using the CFA Franc.
Why the crackdown?
COBAC’s primary goal is to protect the regional currency and prevent money laundering. Because Bitcoin operates outside the “centralized” eye of the BEAC, the regulators view it as a threat to financial stability.
2. The Gray Area: Personal Trading vs. Institutional Banking
So, is Bitcoin legal in Cameroon if you are just a peer-to-peer (P2P) trader?
This is where the “Gray Zone” lives. COBAC regulates institutions, not necessarily individuals.
- P2P Trading: If you send Momo (Mobile Money) to a friend and they send you Bitcoin, that is a private transaction between two individuals. There is no law currently banning private citizens from holding digital assets.
- The Risk: The danger arises when you try to scale. If your bank or Momo account sees frequent, high-volume transactions with no clear purpose, they are required by ANIF (the National Agency for Financial Investigation) to report you for suspicious activity.
3. The “CAR Effect” and Regional Tension
You might remember that in 2022, the Central African Republic (CAR) tried to make Bitcoin legal tender. This caused a massive rift within the CEMAC zone. Cameroon and the BEAC stood firmly against it.
By 2025, the CAR has largely walked back its “Bitcoin as currency” stance after pressure from the IMF and regional partners. This has only strengthened Cameroon’s resolve to keep crypto at arm’s length. The message from the Ministry of Finance remains clear: The CFA Franc is the only legal tender.
4. How to Protect Yourself as a Trader in 2025
Knowing that the answer to “is Bitcoin legal in Cameroon?” is “it’s complicated,” here is how you can navigate the 2025 landscape safely:
Use Non-Custodial Wallets
Don’t keep all your funds on an exchange. If an exchange gets flagged or blocked by Cameroonian ISPs (Internet Service Providers), you could lose access to your funds. Use wallets where you own the private keys (like Trust Wallet or Ledger).
Be Careful with Transaction Descriptions
When doing P2P transfers via bank or mobile money, never use words like “Bitcoin,” “Crypto,” or “ETH” in the transaction memo. This is the fastest way to get your account flagged by COBAC-compliant systems.
Stay Compliant with ANIF
If you are a high-volume trader, you are technically a “Virtual Asset Service Provider.” While the framework for licensing is still being developed, keeping clear records of where your money comes from is vital to prove you aren’t involved in money laundering.
Summary Table: Bitcoin Legality in Cameroon (2025)
| Activity | Status | Risk Level |
| Holding Bitcoin | Legal (Unregulated) | Low |
| P2P Trading | Gray Area | Medium |
| Using Banks for Crypto | Prohibited | High (Account Freeze) |
| Mining | Legal (Unregulated) | Low (Electricity Costs) |
| Using Bitcoin as Currency | Not Legal Tender | High |
The Verdict
The answer to is Bitcoin legal in Cameroon? is not a simple yes or no. It is a “Yes” for the individual who wants to hold an investment, but a firm “No” for the financial system that supports it.
In 2025, the government isn’t coming for your Bitcoin; they are coming for the channels you use to move it. As long as you remain a “ghost” in the traditional banking system, you can continue to trade, but the moment you try to connect the two worlds, you face the full weight of COBAC regulations.