The Bank of Ghana has officially mandated all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) operating in the country to register with the central bank as part of an ongoing initiative to regulate the digital financial ecosystem.
Why it matters
This is a critical step in Ghana’s efforts to safeguard financial stability while fostering innovation and protecting consumers. It signals the Bank’s intent to build a legal framework aligned with global best practices for the fast-evolving virtual assets space.
Who’s affected
Entities providing any of the following services in Ghana must register by August 15, 2025:
- Virtual asset exchange platforms
- Wallet or custody service providers
- Firms offering virtual asset transfer or settlement services
- Companies involved in the issuance or sale of digital assets, including ICOs and stablecoins
The fine print:
- Registration is mandatory and non-compliance could lead to regulatory sanctions or future licensing disqualification.
- Registration is not equivalent to licensing or legal approval to operate.
- The Bank of Ghana may issue further directives based on the outcome of the registration and assessment exercise.
Go deeper
VASPs can register via this official form: https://forms.office.com/r/XqthpEkhkQ
This move comes amid growing interest in digital assets across West Africa and reflects Ghana’s intent to proactively regulate the space before a comprehensive legal framework is rolled out.