Is Crypto Legal In Rwanda?

Cryptocurrencies currently have no legal tender status in Rwanda and are not recognized by the National Bank of Rwanda as official means of payment (1). As such, these digital assets exist outside the scope of the country’s banking laws and monetary regulations.

The absence of a dedicated regulatory framework means that both issuers and users of cryptocurrencies operate without formal oversight or consumer protections. Meanwhile, Rwandan authorities are actively studying the potential introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to complement—but not legitimize—existing private crypto tokens (2).

"Cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender in Rwanda and fall outside the existing financial regulatory framework, meaning that neither the National Bank of Rwanda nor other authorities guarantee or supervise their issuance, trading, or use. Users undertake high risks when engaging in such transactions."

While private crypto trading remains unregulated, Rwanda’s financial regulators have signaled their intention to modernize payments through a carefully designed CBDC, which would enjoy full legal status as central bank money. Until such a framework is enacted, individuals and businesses should exercise caution and seek professional advice before engaging in cryptocurrency transactions.

Source:
https://www.bnr.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/Global_Insights_-_Cryptocurrencies.pdf
https://www.bnr.rw/documents/CBDC_Research_Paper_Engl_Updated.pdf

Last updated: 16-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.