Afghanistan -- Licensing Requirements Regulatory Overview
Methodology
AI-generated synthesis from web search results.
Limitations
- AI-generated content -- not reviewed by human expert
- Source URLs not independently verified
RESEARCH: Afghanistan Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Licensing
Executive Summary
- Afghanistan has no legal framework for cryptocurrency or digital asset licensing as of 2025–2026; no central bank law, securities regulation, or dedicated statute authorizes or governs virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- The primary financial regulator, Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has issued a Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation covering only traditional banking institutions, with no mention of digital assets or crypto licensing therein. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- No Afghan authority has licensed any cryptocurrency exchange, digital asset custodian, or VASP; the number of licensed crypto entities in Afghanistan is zero as of the date of this research. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The only relevant "licensing" construct is U.S. OFAC General License 20, which authorizes certain transactions involving Afghanistan's governing institutions but explicitly excludes financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and blocked leadership individuals except for narrowly defined payments such as taxes, fees, permits, and utility services. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Practical reality: crypto businesses cannot obtain a domestic license in Afghanistan; they face an environment of international sanctions, no AML/CFT enforcement infrastructure, and the Taliban administration has not enacted any virtual asset law, making any crypto operation legally precarious and operationally unviable. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Regulatory Framework
Regulatory Bodies
- Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) is the central bank of Afghanistan and the designated authority for bank licensing and permitting; its website is www.dab.gov.af, and it publishes regulations such as the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) exercises extraterritorial regulatory authority over Afghanistan-related transactions through sanctions programs, including the Afghanistan-Related Sanctions program; OFAC operates under the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through OFAC, is the key external regulator affecting any financial or crypto activity in Afghanistan, given the Taliban and Haqqani Network designations. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- The U.S. Department of State has also weighed in on Afghanistan-related general licenses, indicating a whole-of-government approach to sanctions and licensing matters. Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan - United States Department of State
Primary Laws
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation, issued by Da Afghanistan Bank in November 2023, is the only formal licensing instrument identified; it covers banking activities and does not address virtual assets, cryptocurrency, or digital asset service providers. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- Executive Order 13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism," effective September 24, 2001, is a foundational legal authority for Afghanistan-related sanctions, designating the Taliban and Haqqani Network as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Executive Order 13268, issued July 2, 2002, terminated the emergency with respect to the Taliban and amended Executive Order 13224, refining the scope of sanctions. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Executive Order 14064, "Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the Benefit of the People of Afghanistan," issued February 11, 2022, blocks certain DAB property held in the U.S., affecting the financial landscape but not creating any crypto licensing regime. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706, and the National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651, are the statutory bases for OFAC's Afghanistan sanctions authorities. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
International Standing
- Afghanistan is subject to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) monitoring process, but no FATF or Moneyval evaluation specific to Afghanistan's virtual asset regime has been released in the provided sources; no mutual evaluation report or follow-up report is cited. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2615, adopted in December 2021, is referenced by the U.S. Treasury as the international basis for humanitarian exemptions, but it does not address crypto regulation. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Afghanistan's international standing is defined more by sanctions and humanitarian exemptions than by any affirmative digital asset regulatory engagement; the IMF estimates an economic contraction of up to 30 percent, underscoring the limited capacity for regulatory development. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Licensing Requirements
Who Needs a License
- Under the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, only banking institutions—defined as entities engaging in deposit-taking, lending, and related financial intermediation—are subject to licensing; cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset custodians, wallet providers, and other VASPs are not mentioned anywhere in the regulation and therefore face no domestic licensing obligation—but also no lawful pathway to operate. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- No Afghan statute or regulation requires a license specifically for crypto-related activities, because no such legal instrument exists; the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation covers "banking business" only, defined through traditional financial activities such as accepting deposits and granting credits. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- International actors involved in crypto transactions touching Afghanistan must consider OFAC's licensing regime; OFAC General License 20 authorizes certain transactions involving Afghanistan or its governing institutions, but this is not a crypto license—it is a sanctions exemption that does not permit financial transfers to designated persons like the Taliban or Haqqani Network except for narrow payments. Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Activities Requiring Licensing
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation identifies specific activities that require a banking license, including taking deposits, extending credit, dealing in payment instruments, and providing money transfer services; none of these provisions contemplate digital assets, distributed ledger technology, or virtual currency activities. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- For crypto businesses, the only "licensing" requirement is the need to obtain an OFAC specific license if they wish to engage in transactions otherwise prohibited by the Afghanistan-related sanctions program; OFAC considers license requests on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing humanitarian-related applications. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Under GL 20, transactions involving Afghanistan's governing institutions are authorized to the extent required, but financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, or their 50%-or-more owned entities are prohibited unless for taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utility services, and only if unrelated to luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Capital Requirements
- The provided text of the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation does not include specific capital thresholds, minimum capital figures, or monetary amounts in Afghan Afghani, USD, or EUR; no capital requirement figures are available from the sources supplied. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- No capital requirements exist for crypto businesses in Afghanistan because no crypto licensing framework exists; any attempt to apply banking capital rules to a VASP would be speculative and unsupported by the current law. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Treasury notes that Afghanistan's financial sector was underdeveloped pre-Taliban, with a loan-to-GDP ratio of approximately 3 percent, the lowest in the world, and only 10–20 percent of Afghan adults having bank accounts, indicating that any capital requirements for financial activities in-country would face severe practical constraints. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Application Process
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation outlines a process for banking license applications that includes submission to Da Afghanistan Bank, review of the applicant's corporate governance, financial soundness, and operational plan, and a decision by DAB; this process has no applicability to crypto entities, as the regulation does not recognize virtual asset activities as licensable. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- For OFAC licensing, any U.S. person or entity seeking to engage in crypto-related transactions touching Afghanistan must apply through OFAC's online licensing portal, describing the transaction and justifying why it falls within or merits an exception to the sanctions regime; there is no stated timeline for OFAC's decision in the provided sources. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- OFAC prioritizes license applications related to humanitarian support, and entities can contact the Sanctions Compliance and Evaluation Division at (800) 540-6322 or [email protected] for questions, but this is not a formal crypto licensing path. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Timeline
- No specific timeline for domestic banking license processing is provided in the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation text supplied, and no timeline exists for crypto licensing because no such regime exists. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- OFAC's GL 20 was issued on February 25, 2022, providing immediate authorization for covered transactions upon issuance; FAQs 991 through 997 were published simultaneously to clarify scope. Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- OFAC issued GL 14 through GL 19 between September 24, 2021, and December 22, 2021, showing the phased rollout of humanitarian and administrative authorizations; these general licenses operate without a per-application timeline, but specific licenses are reviewed case-by-case. Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Structural Requirements
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation requires banking license applicants to meet governance, capital, and operational fitness standards, including board composition, internal controls, and compliance mechanisms; these requirements are designed for banks and have no analog for VASPs. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- GL 20 imposes structural restrictions on authorized transactions: financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, or blocked individuals in leadership roles of governing institutions are prohibited except for payments of taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utility services, provided such payments do not relate to luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
- GL 20 does not lift sanctions on the Taliban or Haqqani Network; they remain designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224, meaning any crypto business engaging with these entities faces ongoing sanctions risk. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Actual Licensed Entities
- Zero entities have been licensed for cryptocurrency or digital asset activities in Afghanistan; no VASP, crypto exchange, or digital asset custodian has received a license from Da Afghanistan Bank or any other Afghan authority. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The provided sources contain no record, announcement, or report of any Afghan-licensed crypto business, and the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation—the only licensing instrument—does not even contemplate digital assets as a licensable category. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
AML/KYC Requirements
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation requires licensed banks to implement anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) controls as part of their compliance obligations, but it does not specify CDD, EDD, STR reporting thresholds, record retention periods, beneficial ownership rules, or PEP screening requirements in the text provided. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- No Afghan law or regulation imposes AML/KYC obligations on crypto businesses because no crypto licensing or registration regime exists; VASPs operating in Afghanistan do so without any statutory basis for AML/CFT compliance. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Treasury, in connection with GL 20, explicitly expects NGOs and private sector actors to implement "appropriate due diligence measures and AML/CFT controls to ensure funds are not diverted for illicit purposes," signaling that even authorized transactions require robust AML/KYC in practice, though this is a U.S. expectation, not an Afghan legal mandate. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- OFAC's FAQs 957 through 963 clarify that certain humanitarian transactions are authorized provided conditions are met, implicitly requiring U.S. persons to screen counterparties against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, but this pertains to sanctions compliance, not Afghan statutory AML law. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
- The Quds Force and Haqqani Network designations, alongside the Taliban's listing as SDGTs, create a PEP and sanctions screening burden for any financial actor, including crypto businesses, touching Afghanistan; screening against OFAC's SDN list is a practical requirement, but this derives from U.S. law, not Afghan regulations. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Enforcement Actions
- No enforcement actions against cryptocurrency or digital asset businesses in Afghanistan are reported in the provided sources. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Treasury has taken enforcement actions against the Taliban and Haqqani Network through continued sanctions designation, but these are sanctions designations, not crypto-specific enforcement cases; the Treasury press release emphasizes that sanctions on the Taliban and Haqqani Network remain in force and are not lifted by GL 20. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- OFAC FAQ 997 explicitly states that the United States has not lifted sanctions on the Taliban or the Haqqani Network, and both remain designated as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, but no forfeiture, fine, or penalty against a crypto entity is recorded in the sources. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
- The U.S. Treasury warned that it "will continue to apply rigorous sanctions to the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and their collaborators until they halt their repressive actions," signaling potential future enforcement, but no specific crypto enforcement action is documented. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- No Afghan court, DAB directive, or administrative penalty against a crypto firm is mentioned anywhere in the provided source material, reflecting the absence of a crypto regulatory framework and corresponding enforcement machinery. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
Tax Treatment
- No tax guidance has been issued for virtual assets by Afghanistan's Ministry of Finance, Da Afghanistan Bank, or any other Afghan authority; the provided sources contain no mention of income tax, capital gains tax, VAT, or any other tax treatment for cryptocurrency or digital asset transactions in Afghanistan. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation addresses licensing and operational requirements for banks but is silent on taxation of any kind, including crypto taxation. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Treasury's discussion of Afghanistan's economy—including the pre-Taliban dependence on approximately $8.5 billion in annual grants financing 75 percent of public expenditures—highlights the lack of a functioning tax administration system capable of assessing or collecting taxes on digital assets. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- No FAQ, OFAC guidance, or Treasury press release in the provided sources addresses the tax treatment of crypto gains or transactions in Afghanistan. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Key Gaps & Risks
Regulatory Gaps
- Afghanistan lacks any dedicated cryptocurrency or digital asset law, meaning there is no definition of a virtual asset, no VASP registration requirement, no consumer protection framework, and no supervisory authority for crypto activities. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation, while comprehensive for traditional banking, does not address digital assets at all, leaving a complete regulatory vacuum for crypto businesses. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The FATF's Recommendation 15 (new technologies) and its updated guidance on virtual assets and VASPs are not implemented in Afghanistan; no law mandates AML/CFT compliance for VASPs, and no authority has been designated as the supervisor for the virtual asset sector. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
Practical Risks
- Sanctions risk is the dominant operational threat: the Taliban and Haqqani Network are designated as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, and any crypto business dealing with them, their owned entities (50% or more interest), or blocked leadership individuals faces U.S. enforcement, including asset freezes and penalties. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- GL 20 provides limited cover but explicitly prohibits financial transfers to the Taliban or Haqqani Network, meaning a crypto exchange settling transactions with Afghan parties could inadvertently run afoul of these restrictions; the prohibition covers transfers to entities in which the Taliban or Haqqani Network own 50% or more, and any blocked individual in a leadership role of governing institutions, except for taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utilities not involving luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
- The definition of "luxury items and services" under FAQ 994 creates interpretive risk for crypto businesses, as payments for permits, licenses, or utility services are only allowed if they do not relate to luxury items, adding complexity to compliance. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
- Afghanistan's economic collapse—with the IMF estimating contraction of up to 30 percent, a poverty rate near 50 percent, and a loan-to-GDP ratio around 3 percent—makes establishing any financial business, including crypto, practically impossible due to the absence of banking infrastructure, reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and a functional legal system. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Implementation Gaps
- Even if a crypto business sought to comply with Afghan law, there is no designated authority to receive applications, no registration portal, no fee schedule, and no process for obtaining a domestic VASP license. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The U.S. Treasury's expectation that private sector actors "continue to implement appropriate due diligence measures and AML/CFT controls" is aspirational, but Afghanistan has no AML/CFT law applicable to VASPs and no FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) structured to receive suspicious transaction reports from crypto businesses, making compliance impossible in practice. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Da Afghanistan Bank's property is itself blocked under Executive Order 14064, undermining the central bank's capacity to function as a regulator or supervisor for any financial sector, including crypto. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Future Outlook
- No roadmap, draft law, or public consultation on crypto regulation from Afghan authorities appears in the provided sources, and the Taliban administration has not signaled any intention to legalize digital assets. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- The international community's focus, as expressed through UNSCR 2615 and OFAC GL 20, is on humanitarian relief and basic human needs—not financial innovation or digital asset market development. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Any crypto business seeking to enter Afghanistan would need to navigate both the absence of domestic law and the presence of extraterritorial U.S. sanctions, making the jurisdiction unviable for legitimate digital asset operations in the foreseeable future. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Sources
- U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
- Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan - United States Department of State
- OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Source Data
The 2014 Anti-Money Laundering Law was enacted under the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and, while not formally repealed, is no longer reliably enforced or recognized under the current Taliban administration's legal framework.
Law on Combating the Financing of Terrorism (2014): Also from the previous government, this law defined terrorist financing offenses and outlined measures to combat it.
These laws, while on the books from the previous government, do not specifically address virtual assets or VASPs. They were drafted before cryptocurrencies became a significant regulatory concern globally.
The current de facto Taliban administration's official stance, as widely reported since August 2022, is a ban on cryptocurrency trading, deeming it "haram" (forbidden in Islam) and a source of fraud. This outright ban supersedes any potential regulatory framework for VASPs.
Any entity attempting to operate as a VASP would be doing so outside of the law as enforced by the current de facto authorities.
Identification and verification requirements for licensing are governed by the Real Estate Board for salespersons, brokers, and firms, and also by federal regulations for certain sectors.
Customer and beneficial owner identification is part of licensing requirements for real estate brokers in Virginia, enforced by the Real Estate Board.
Verifying identity using reliable, independent source documents (e.g., national ID cards, passports). Note: In the U.S., REAL ID is officially unreliable for confirming citizenship per DHS, though passports remain a standard for identity verification in contexts like employment authorization.
Identifying the beneficial owner for legal persons and arrangements.
The business relationship between the Army and its contractors is defined by AFARS Part 5101 supplementing the FAR, with DoDI 5000.35 governing the acquisition system; however, subcontracting reporting now occurs via the Subcontracting Planning Report in SAM.gov following the eSRS retirement in February 2026.
Obtaining information on the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship.
Conducting ongoing monitoring of the business relationship and transactions undertaken throughout the course of the relationship to ensure they are consistent with the obliged entity's knowledge of the customer, their business, and risk profile.
Ensuring that documents, data, or information obtained are kept up-to-date.
Applying enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers or transactions (e.g., Politically Exposed Persons – PEPs, complex transactions, high-value transfers, or transactions with high-risk jurisdictions).
Under the previous AML/CFT framework, financial institutions (including any future regulated VASPs) were obliged to report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Afghanistan (FinTRACA).
STRs would typically involve transactions suspected of being linked to money laundering, terrorist financing, or other criminal activities.
While FinTRACA technically still exists under the de facto administration, its functionality, independence, and engagement with international AML bodies (like the Egmont Group or FATF) are severely compromised.
As of April 2026, Pakistan has partially lifted its ban on crypto by allowing licensed VASPs to open bank accounts, and while the new framework does not explicitly amend FinTRACA's reporting guidelines, licensed VASPs are expected to file STRs under FATF guidance, making the claim that no formal mechanism or expectation exists inaccurate for licensed entities.
The AML law typically required obliged entities to retain records of customer identification data, account files, business correspondence, and transaction data for a minimum period (often 5-7 years) after the business relationship has ended or the transaction was completed.
With Pakistan's April 2026 partial lifting of the ban on banks servicing licensed virtual asset providers, CDD and STR-like obligations are now applicable to licensed VASPs, though unlicensed VASPs still face practical inapplicability due to ongoing restrictions.
Da Afghanistan Bank's Banking Supervision and Financial Services Directorate General is the primary financial sector regulator responsible for licensing, supervision, and enforcement of AML/CFT compliance for financial institutions.
The Financial Intelligence Unit of Afghanistan (FinTRACA) existed pre-2021 as the national centre for receiving, analysing, and disseminating suspicious transaction reports, but its current operational status under the Taliban regime is unverified and likely not recognized by international bodies.
FinTRACA: Its operational capacity and international recognition are highly questionable under the current regime.
Law on Anti-Money Laundering (2014) (from previous government)
Note: DAB under the Taliban administration is the de facto enforcer of the crypto ban.
Note: This website's functionality and the body's independence and international standing are highly uncertain under the current de facto administration.
FinTRACA: Responsible for AML/CFT oversight; receives reports from licensed entities. Overview
Da Afghanistan Bank: Oversees licensing and compliance with AML/CFT standards. Licensed Financial Institutions | Da Afghanistan Bank
Licensing Requirement: The Regulation on Licensing and Oversight of Payment and Settlement Systems (PDF) outlines the need for entities handling payment transactions to obtain licenses from the Afghan Central Bank.<sup>2</sup> Digital asset service providers, including exchanges and wallet operators, may fall under this regulatory purview, necessitating a license to operate legally.
Sanctions Considerations: Recent U.S. sanctions updates indicate that Afghanistan remains subject to certain financial restrictions.<sup>3</sup> Entities involved in cryptocurrency transactions must ensure compliance with these sanctions, which may prohibit dealings with specific Afghan institutions or individuals.
AML/KYC Standards: While not explicitly detailed for digital assets, the FATF's recommendations on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) suggest that Afghanistan should implement robust AML and KYC measures to mitigate money laundering risks.<sup>4</sup> Entities must comply with international standards, which may include customer identification procedures and transaction monitoring.
Capital Gains: If a cryptocurrency is exchanged or sold at a profit, it may be subject to capital gains tax calculated based on the difference between the acquisition cost and the sale proceeds.<sup>5</sup>
Income Tax: Revenues earned from mining activities or staking rewards might be considered taxable income, subject to applicable Afghan income tax rates.
Regulatory Ambiguity: The absence of specific cryptocurrency legislation creates uncertainty for operators and users alike.
Sanctions Exposure: Continued exposure to international sanctions may restrict permissible transactions and necessitate stringent compliance measures.
Taxation Uncertainty: Lack of clear tax guidance on digital assets could lead to potential audit risks and financial penalties.
Digital Asset Service Providers (DASPs): To operate legally, DASPs must obtain a license from the Afghan Central Bank under the Regulation on Licensing and Oversight of Payment and Settlement Systems.<sup>2</sup>
Compliance with Sanctions: All licensed entities must adhere to U.S. sanctions regulations affecting Afghanistan, as outlined in recent general license updates.<sup>3</sup>
Afghanistan has no legal framework for cryptocurrency or digital asset licensing as of 2025–2026; no central bank law, securities regulation, or dedicated statute authorizes or governs virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
The primary financial regulator, Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has issued a Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation covering only traditional banking institutions, with no mention of digital assets or crypto licensing therein. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The only relevant "licensing" construct is U.S. OFAC General License 20, which authorizes certain transactions involving Afghanistan's governing institutions but explicitly excludes financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and blocked leadership individuals except for narrowly defined payments such as taxes, fees, permits, and utility services. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Practical reality: crypto businesses cannot obtain a domestic license in Afghanistan; they face an environment of international sanctions, no AML/CFT enforcement infrastructure, and the Taliban administration has not enacted any virtual asset law, making any crypto operation legally precarious and operationally unviable. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) is the central bank of Afghanistan and the designated authority for bank licensing and permitting; its website is www.dab.gov.af, and it publishes regulations such as the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) exercises extraterritorial regulatory authority over Afghanistan-related transactions through sanctions programs, including the Afghanistan-Related Sanctions program; OFAC operates under the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through OFAC, is the key external regulator affecting any financial or crypto activity in Afghanistan, given the Taliban and Haqqani Network designations. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Department of State has also weighed in on Afghanistan-related general licenses, indicating a whole-of-government approach to sanctions and licensing matters. Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan - United States Department of State
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation, issued by Da Afghanistan Bank in November 2023, is the only formal licensing instrument identified; it covers banking activities and does not address virtual assets, cryptocurrency, or digital asset service providers. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
Executive Order 13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism," effective September 24, 2001, is a foundational legal authority for Afghanistan-related sanctions, designating the Taliban and Haqqani Network as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Executive Order 13268, issued July 2, 2002, terminated the emergency with respect to the Taliban and amended Executive Order 13224, refining the scope of sanctions. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Executive Order 14064, "Protecting Certain Property of Da Afghanistan Bank for the Benefit of the People of Afghanistan," issued February 11, 2022, blocks certain DAB property held in the U.S., affecting the financial landscape but not creating any crypto licensing regime. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706, and the National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651, are the statutory bases for OFAC's Afghanistan sanctions authorities. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Afghanistan is subject to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) monitoring process, but no FATF or Moneyval evaluation specific to Afghanistan's virtual asset regime has been released in the provided sources; no mutual evaluation report or follow-up report is cited. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2615, adopted in December 2021, is referenced by the U.S. Treasury as the international basis for humanitarian exemptions, but it does not address crypto regulation. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Afghanistan's international standing is defined more by sanctions and humanitarian exemptions than by any affirmative digital asset regulatory engagement; the IMF estimates an economic contraction of up to 30 percent, underscoring the limited capacity for regulatory development. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Under the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation issued by Da Afghanistan Bank, only banking institutions—defined as entities engaging in deposit-taking, lending, and related financial intermediation—are subject to licensing; cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset custodians, wallet providers, and other VASPs are not mentioned anywhere in the regulation and therefore face no domestic licensing obligation—but also no lawful pathway to operate. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
No Afghan statute or regulation requires a license specifically for crypto-related activities, because no such legal instrument exists; the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation covers "banking business" only, defined through traditional financial activities such as accepting deposits and granting credits. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
International actors involved in crypto transactions touching Afghanistan must consider OFAC's licensing regime; OFAC General License 20 authorizes certain transactions involving Afghanistan or its governing institutions, but this is not a crypto license—it is a sanctions exemption that does not permit financial transfers to designated persons like the Taliban or Haqqani Network except for narrow payments. Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation identifies specific activities that require a banking license, including taking deposits, extending credit, dealing in payment instruments, and providing money transfer services; none of these provisions contemplate digital assets, distributed ledger technology, or virtual currency activities. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
For crypto businesses, the only "licensing" requirement is the need to obtain an OFAC specific license if they wish to engage in transactions otherwise prohibited by the Afghanistan-related sanctions program; OFAC considers license requests on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing humanitarian-related applications. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Under GL 20, transactions involving Afghanistan's governing institutions are authorized to the extent required, but financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, or their 50%-or-more owned entities are prohibited unless for taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utility services, and only if unrelated to luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
The provided text of the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation does not include specific capital thresholds, minimum capital figures, or monetary amounts in Afghan Afghani, USD, or EUR; no capital requirement figures are available from the sources supplied. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
No capital requirements exist for crypto businesses in Afghanistan because no crypto licensing framework exists; any attempt to apply banking capital rules to a VASP would be speculative and unsupported by the current law. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Treasury notes that Afghanistan's financial sector was underdeveloped pre-Taliban, with a loan-to-GDP ratio of approximately 3 percent, the lowest in the world, and only 10–20 percent of Afghan adults having bank accounts, indicating that any capital requirements for financial activities in-country would face severe practical constraints. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation outlines a process for banking license applications that includes submission to Da Afghanistan Bank, review of the applicant's corporate governance, financial soundness, and operational plan, and a decision by DAB; this process has no applicability to crypto entities, as the regulation does not recognize virtual asset activities as licensable. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
For OFAC licensing, any U.S. person or entity seeking to engage in crypto-related transactions touching Afghanistan must apply through OFAC's online licensing portal, describing the transaction and justifying why it falls within or merits an exception to the sanctions regime; there is no stated timeline for OFAC's decision in the provided sources. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
No specific timeline for domestic banking license processing is provided in the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation text supplied, and no timeline exists for crypto licensing because no such regime exists. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
OFAC's GL 20 was issued on February 25, 2022, providing immediate authorization for covered transactions upon issuance; FAQs 991 through 997 were published simultaneously to clarify scope. Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
OFAC issued GL 14 through GL 19 between September 24, 2021, and December 22, 2021, showing the phased rollout of humanitarian and administrative authorizations; these general licenses operate without a per-application timeline, but specific licenses are reviewed case-by-case. Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation requires banking license applicants to meet governance, capital, and operational fitness standards, including board composition, internal controls, and compliance mechanisms; these requirements are designed for banks and have no analog for VASPs. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
GL 20 imposes structural restrictions on authorized transactions: financial transfers to the Taliban, Haqqani Network, or blocked individuals in leadership roles of governing institutions are prohibited except for payments of taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utility services, provided such payments do not relate to luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
GL 20 does not lift sanctions on the Taliban or Haqqani Network; they remain designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224, meaning any crypto business engaging with these entities faces ongoing sanctions risk. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Zero entities have been licensed for cryptocurrency or digital asset activities in Afghanistan; no VASP, crypto exchange, or digital asset custodian has received a license from Da Afghanistan Bank or any other Afghan authority. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The provided sources contain no record, announcement, or report of any Afghan-licensed crypto business, and the Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation—the only licensing instrument—does not even contemplate digital assets as a licensable category. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation requires licensed banks to implement anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) controls as part of their compliance obligations, but it does not specify CDD, EDD, STR reporting thresholds, record retention periods, beneficial ownership rules, or PEP screening requirements in the text provided. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
No Afghan law or regulation imposes AML/KYC obligations on crypto businesses because no crypto licensing or registration regime exists; VASPs operating in Afghanistan do so without any statutory basis for AML/CFT compliance. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Treasury, in connection with GL 20, explicitly expects NGOs and private sector actors to implement "appropriate due diligence measures and AML/CFT controls to ensure funds are not diverted for illicit purposes," signaling that even authorized transactions require robust AML/KYC in practice, though this is a U.S. expectation, not an Afghan legal mandate. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
OFAC's FAQs 957 through 963 clarify that certain humanitarian transactions are authorized provided conditions are met, implicitly requiring U.S. persons to screen counterparties against OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, but this pertains to sanctions compliance, not Afghan statutory AML law. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
The Quds Force and Haqqani Network designations, alongside the Taliban's listing as SDGTs, create a PEP and sanctions screening burden for any financial actor, including crypto businesses, touching Afghanistan; screening against OFAC's SDN list is a practical requirement, but this derives from U.S. law, not Afghan regulations. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
No enforcement actions against cryptocurrency or digital asset businesses in Afghanistan are reported in the provided sources. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Treasury has taken enforcement actions against the Taliban and Haqqani Network through continued sanctions designation, but these are sanctions designations, not crypto-specific enforcement cases; the Treasury press release emphasizes that sanctions on the Taliban and Haqqani Network remain in force and are not lifted by GL 20. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
OFAC FAQ 997 explicitly states that the United States has not lifted sanctions on the Taliban or the Haqqani Network, and both remain designated as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, but no forfeiture, fine, or penalty against a crypto entity is recorded in the sources. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
The U.S. Treasury warned that it "will continue to apply rigorous sanctions to the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, and their collaborators until they halt their repressive actions," signaling potential future enforcement, but no specific crypto enforcement action is documented. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
No Afghan court, DAB directive, or administrative penalty against a crypto firm is mentioned anywhere in the provided source material, reflecting the absence of a crypto regulatory framework and corresponding enforcement machinery. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
No tax guidance has been issued for virtual assets by Afghanistan's Ministry of Finance, Da Afghanistan Bank, or any other Afghan authority; the provided sources contain no mention of income tax, capital gains tax, VAT, or any other tax treatment for cryptocurrency or digital asset transactions in Afghanistan. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation addresses licensing and operational requirements for banks but is silent on taxation of any kind, including crypto taxation. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Treasury's discussion of Afghanistan's economy—including the pre-Taliban dependence on approximately $8.5 billion in annual grants financing 75 percent of public expenditures—highlights the lack of a functioning tax administration system capable of assessing or collecting taxes on digital assets. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
No FAQ, OFAC guidance, or Treasury press release in the provided sources addresses the tax treatment of crypto gains or transactions in Afghanistan. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Afghanistan lacks any dedicated cryptocurrency or digital asset law, meaning there is no definition of a virtual asset, no VASP registration requirement, no consumer protection framework, and no supervisory authority for crypto activities. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation, while comprehensive for traditional banking, does not address digital assets at all, leaving a complete regulatory vacuum for crypto businesses. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The FATF's Recommendation 15 (new technologies) and its updated guidance on virtual assets and VASPs are not implemented in Afghanistan; no law mandates AML/CFT compliance for VASPs, and no authority has been designated as the supervisor for the virtual asset sector. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
Sanctions risk is the dominant operational threat: the Taliban and Haqqani Network are designated as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, and any crypto business dealing with them, their owned entities (50% or more interest), or blocked leadership individuals faces U.S. enforcement, including asset freezes and penalties. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
GL 20 provides limited cover but explicitly prohibits financial transfers to the Taliban or Haqqani Network, meaning a crypto exchange settling transactions with Afghan parties could inadvertently run afoul of these restrictions; the prohibition covers transfers to entities in which the Taliban or Haqqani Network own 50% or more, and any blocked individual in a leadership role of governing institutions, except for taxes, fees, import duties, permits, licenses, or public utilities not involving luxury items. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
The definition of "luxury items and services" under FAQ 994 creates interpretive risk for crypto businesses, as payments for permits, licenses, or utility services are only allowed if they do not relate to luxury items, adding complexity to compliance. OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
Afghanistan's economic collapse—with the IMF estimating contraction of up to 30 percent, a poverty rate near 50 percent, and a loan-to-GDP ratio around 3 percent—makes establishing any financial business, including crypto, practically impossible due to the absence of banking infrastructure, reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and a functional legal system. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Even if a crypto business sought to comply with Afghan law, there is no designated authority to receive applications, no registration portal, no fee schedule, and no process for obtaining a domestic VASP license. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The U.S. Treasury's expectation that private sector actors "continue to implement appropriate due diligence measures and AML/CFT controls" is aspirational, but Afghanistan has no AML/CFT law applicable to VASPs and no FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) structured to receive suspicious transaction reports from crypto businesses, making compliance impossible in practice. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Da Afghanistan Bank's property is itself blocked under Executive Order 14064, undermining the central bank's capacity to function as a regulator or supervisor for any financial sector, including crypto. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
No roadmap, draft law, or public consultation on crypto regulation from Afghan authorities appears in the provided sources, and the Taliban administration has not signaled any intention to legalize digital assets. Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
The international community's focus, as expressed through UNSCR 2615 and OFAC GL 20, is on humanitarian relief and basic human needs—not financial innovation or digital asset market development. U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Any crypto business seeking to enter Afghanistan would need to navigate both the absence of domestic law and the presence of extraterritorial U.S. sanctions, making the jurisdiction unviable for legitimate digital asset operations in the foreseeable future. Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control
Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation
Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan - United States Department of State
OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog
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References
This article was generated by deepseek/deepseek-chat .
Primary Sources
https://www.dab.gov.af/. (n.d.). dab.gov.af. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.dab.gov.af/
https://fintraca.gov.af/. (n.d.). fintraca.gov.af. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://fintraca.gov.af/
ofac.treasury.gov. (n.d.). Afghanistan-Related Sanctions | Office of Foreign Assets Control. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/afghanistan-related-sanctions
dab.gov.af. (n.d.). Bank Licensing and Permitting Regulation. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://www.dab.gov.af/sites/default/files/2023-11/1.%20Bank%20Licensing%20and%20Permitting%20Regulation_0.pdf
home.treasury.gov. (n.d.). U.S. Treasury Issues General License to Facilitate Economic Activity in Afghanistan | U.S. Department of the Treasury. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0609
2021-2025.state.gov. (n.d.). Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan - United States Department of State. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://2021-2025.state.gov/additional-general-license-involving-afghanistan-or-governing-institutions-in-afghanistan/
ofac.treasury.gov. (n.d.). Issuance of Afghanistan-related General License and new and amended Frequently Asked Questions | Office of Foreign Assets Control. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20220225
ofac.treasury.gov. (n.d.). Selected General Licenses Issued by OFAC | Office of Foreign Assets Control. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://ofac.treasury.gov/selected-general-licenses-issued-ofac
Secondary Sources
sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com. (n.d.). OFAC Issues a New General License and FAQs for Transactions Involving Afghanistan - Global Sanctions and Export Controls Blog. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://sanctionsnews.bakermckenzie.com/ofac-issues-a-new-general-license-and-faqs-for-transactions-involving-afghanistan/
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