---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "africa_central", "gabac", "restricted"]
aliases: ["GQ", "GNQ", "Guinea Ecuatorial"]
created: 2026-06-01
updated: 2025-01-01
compile_into: ["[[country--equatorial-guinea]]"]
sources:
  - name: "BEAC"
    url: "https://www.beac.int"
    type: "official"
---

# 🇬🇶 [[country--equatorial-guinea|Equatorial Guinea]] (GQ) — Crypto Regulation

> Equatorial Guinea is governed by CEMAC-wide crypto rules. COBAC's May 2022 directive bans regulated financial institutions from holding or facilitating crypto transactions. A December 2022 CEMAC regulation introduced a legal concept of Virtual Asset Service Providers requiring accreditation, but implementing rules are still pending as of mid-2026. BEAC is developing a digital CFA franc (CBDC not yet launched) and opposes dollar-backed stablecoins. No crypto-specific licensing framework is operational. Individual crypto use is in a legal grey zone; institutional crypto is banned.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Restricted |
| Risk Score | 95/100 (Very High Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | None |
| Region | [[domain--africa|africa central]] |
| Currency | [[entity--xaf|XAF]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | No specific guidance |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 25% CIT (reduced from 35%); capital gains treated as ordinary business income |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | No specific guidance |
| Staking Tax | No specific guidance |
| Airdrop Tax | No specific guidance |

No crypto-specific tax guidance.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | No |
| Regulator | [[entity--cobac|COBAC]] / BEAC |
| Framework | No crypto framework |
| Ease | N/A |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

No crypto licensing framework exists.

## AML / KYC

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

## DeFi

**Status:** Unclear

No regulation.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** no_rules

No framework.

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No regulation.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.12/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 20% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Mining legality is not explicitly stated but presumed legal due to lack of restrictions; electricity cost relatively high; infrastructure moderate.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | unstable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 20/100 |
| Ease of Business | difficult |
| Internet Freedom | partly_free |
| Banking Access | restricted |

## Enforcement

No known enforcement actions.

## CBDC Status: in_development

## FAQ

### Is cryptocurrency legal in Equatorial Guinea?

Equatorial Guinea is governed by CEMAC-wide crypto rules. COBAC's May 2022 directive bans regulated financial institutions from holding or facilitating crypto transactions. A December 2022 CEMAC regulation introduced a legal concept of Virtual Asset Service Providers requiring accreditation, but implementing rules are still pending as of mid-2026. BEAC is developing a digital CFA franc (CBDC not yet launched) and opposes dollar-backed stablecoins. No crypto-specific licensing framework is operat

### What is the FATF status of Equatorial Guinea?

Equatorial Guinea is classified by FATF as: non_compliant.

### What is the AML/KYC regime in Equatorial Guinea?

KYC is not universally mandated.

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-06-01.*

**Sources:**
- [BEAC](https://www.beac.int)