Sudan

## Report: Retail Cryptocurrency Trading Status in Sudan

**Date:** 2025-06-26

**Topic:** Retail_Trading_Status

**Description:** Assess whether individual citizens and residents in the country are legally permitted to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. Detail the regulatory environment surrounding this activity (e.g., KYC/AML requirements imposed on platforms, general warnings issued).

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### Retail_Trading_Status: Banned

**1. Identified Current Status:** Banned

**2. Detailed Narrative Explanation:**

Sudan has explicitly prohibited dealing with cryptocurrencies through a series of official warnings and enforcement actions. The Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) is the primary authority, having issued prohibitive warnings in December 2020 and again in March 2022. The March 2022 warning, communicated via the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), clarified that cryptocurrencies are not classified as money or private property under Sudanese law, a significant legal barrier rooted in the Electronic Transactions Act of 2007 which predates and does not cover virtual assets. This denial of legal status means users have no legal recourse in cases of fraud or theft.

The ban was operationally reinforced in June 2022 when the Sudanese government, through the Foreign Currency Control Administration of the Customs Police, launched a campaign against individuals and groups mining and trading cryptocurrency, stating unequivocally that such activity is prohibited by law. This action demonstrates active enforcement of the ban.

The primary reasons cited by Sudanese authorities for the ban include:
*   **Financial Crime Risks:** Cryptocurrencies are seen as potential tools for money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit activities.
*   **Lack of Investor Protection and Legal Recognition:** The volatile nature of cryptocurrencies and the absence of a regulatory framework offer no protection against losses. Crucially, they are not recognized as legal property.
*   **Impact on Financial Stability:** Uncontrolled cryptocurrency adoption could undermine the national currency and complicate monetary policy.
*   **Violation of Foreign Exchange Regulations:** Dealing in cryptocurrencies is viewed as a method to circumvent existing foreign exchange controls.

While a significant underground market exists, driven by hyperinflation and currency devaluation, the official legal and regulatory stance is a comprehensive ban on retail cryptocurrency trading, buying, selling, and holding for individual citizens and residents. There are no specific KYC/AML requirements for crypto platforms because the activity itself is prohibited.

**3. Specific, Relevant Text Excerpts:**

*   **Central Bank of Sudan (December 2020):** "The Central Bank of Sudan has warned against dealing with cryptocurrencies in all their forms, including buying, selling, or mining them, due to their high risks and negative consequences on the economy and the banking system."
*   **Central Bank of Sudan Warning (March 2022):** "The CBOS also believes that digital currencies come with legal risks as they are not classified as money or even private money and property in accordance with the legislation." (Source: SUNA)
*   **Sudan News Agency (SUNA) / Official Government Statements (June 2022):** "The Sudanese government has banned dealing in cryptocurrency... dealing in cryptocurrency is prohibited by law, and... his administration has taken legal measures against a number of individuals and groups who are mining and trading in cryptocurrency."
*   **Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence (2022, updated 2024):** "The Central Bank of Sudan has banned financial institutions from dealing with cryptocurrencies. The Bank has also warned the public against trading or investing in cryptocurrencies... The government has also banned cryptocurrency mining."

**4. Direct, Accessible URL Links to Sources:**

1.  **Dabanga Sudan - 'Sudan govt bans cryptocurrency dealing' (June 2022):** [https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/sudan-govt-bans-cryptocurrency-dealing](https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/sudan-govt-bans-cryptocurrency-dealing)
2.  **SUNA - 'Sudan's Apex Bank Warns Citizens against Dealing in Cryptocurrencies' (March 2022):** [https://suna-sd.net](https://suna-sd.net)
3.  **CoinGeek - 'Sudan's central bank warns against digital currencies amid economic collapse' (April 2022):** [https://coingeek.com/sudan-central-bank-warns-against-digital-currencies-amid-economic-collapse/](https://coingeek.com/sudan-central-bank-warns-against-digital-currencies-amid-economic-collapse/)
4.  **Freeman Law - 'Sudan and Cryptocurrency' (2023):** [https://freemanlaw.com/cryptocurrency/sudan/](https://freemanlaw.com/cryptocurrency/sudan/)
5.  **Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence (Paywalled reference):** [https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/insights/regulatory-intelligence](https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/insights/regulatory-intelligence)

It is important to note that accessing direct, consistently updated online primary sources from Sudanese official websites can be challenging. Therefore, reliance on reputable secondary sources, including international news outlets and regulatory intelligence providers, is necessary. The consistent reporting across multiple such sources confirms the 'Banned' status.