Ghana to regulate crypto exchanges

Speaking at the Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting, Asiama emphasised the urgency for clear rules amid the rise of digital financial technologies.

“Crypto is like the air we breathe—you can’t stop it. So let’s regulate it properly,” he stated. “We are working on a framework that aligns with our anti-money laundering and financial stability mandates.”

To ensure a robust and collaborative regulatory environment, the BoG has been in close consultation with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the Ministry of Finance.

The forthcoming regulations will establish clear licensing requirements, operational standards, and safeguards against abuse for all crypto-related entities operating in Ghana.

Governor Asiama was clear in stating that the central bank is not opposed to innovation, but rather committed to preserving financial integrity.

“Crypto is here. The question is how do we manage it, not whether to ban it,” he said. “The Bank is not anti-innovation. We only seek to ensure that digital financial products do not undermine confidence in the monetary system or facilitate illicit transactions.”

With this move, Ghana is positioning itself among a small but growing number of African nations proactively tackling the regulation of digital currencies. The new framework aims to balance oversight with flexibility, ensuring that the fintech and crypto sectors can continue to innovate within a safe and supervised environment.

This regulatory step is expected to strengthen public trust, prevent money laundering, and attract responsible fintech players to Ghana’s digital economy.