---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "africa_west", "giaba", "restricted"]
aliases: ["BJ", "BEN", "Bénin"]
created: 2026-04-13
updated: 2025-01-01
compile_into: ["[[country--benin]]"]
sources:
  - name: "BCEAO"
    url: "https://www.bceao.int"
    type: "official"
---

# 🇧🇯 [[country--benin|Benin]] (BJ) — Crypto Regulation

> Benin currently has a restricted regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies with no specific crypto framework in place. The regulatory environment is governed broadly by UEMOA and BCEAO policies, with no explicit crypto legislation or licensing frameworks.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Restricted |
| Risk Score | 60/100 (High Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Low |
| Region | [[domain--africa|africa west]] |
| Currency | [[entity--xof|XOF]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | No specific crypto guidance |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 25%-30% corporate income tax (varies) |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | No specific guidance |
| Staking Tax | No specific guidance |
| Airdrop Tax | No specific guidance |

No crypto-specific tax guidance. General WAEMU tax framework applies.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | No |
| Regulator | [[entity--bceao|BCEAO]] |
| Framework | No specific crypto framework |
| Ease | N/A |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

No crypto licensing framework. BCEAO warnings apply across all WAEMU member states.

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| FATF Member | No |
| FATF Status | fsrb_only |

## DeFi

**Status:** Unclear

No DeFi regulation.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** no_rules

No stablecoin framework.

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No NFT regulation.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.14/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 15% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Mining is allowed but under restrictions; infrastructure is developing with moderate renewable energy usage.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | moderate |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 28/100 |
| Ease of Business | difficult |
| Internet Freedom | partly_free |
| Banking Access | restricted |

## Enforcement

Minimal enforcement activity.

## CBDC Status: none

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-04-13.*

**Sources:**
- [BCEAO](https://www.bceao.int)