The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not have a comprehensive legal or regulatory framework specifically addressing cryptocurrency or digital assets as of 2025–2026. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No dedicated cryptocurrency law, licensing regime, or registration requirement has been enacted by the DRC government, and no regulatory authority has been formally designated to oversee virtual assets. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The existing legal framework is built around general business, commercial, and investment laws such as the 2002 Investment Code and the OHADA uniform acts, which do not address digital assets. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No entities have been licensed to operate cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, or other virtual asset service providers in the DRC because no licensing mechanism exists. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The practical reality is that crypto businesses operate in a legal vacuum with no clear permissions, no prohibitions, and no regulatory clarity, while the broader business environment remains bureaucratic and unevenly enforced. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Congolese Office of Control (OCC) is the governmental authority that oversees foreign businesses engaged in the DRC, but it has no specific mandate for cryptocurrency or digital assets. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The National Agency for the Promotion of Investments (ANAPI) is the DRC agency whose mandate is to simplify the investment process, make procedures more transparent, and assist new foreign investors; it operates at investindrc.cd. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Steering Committee for the Improvement of the Business and Investment Climate (CPCAI) exists to improve the DRC's business environment by reducing administrative delays and red tape. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Guichet Unique, instituted in 2013, is a one-stop shop that simplifies business creation, cutting processing time from five months to three days and reducing incorporation fees from $3,000 to $120. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No specific financial regulator, central bank authority, or securities commission has been identified as responsible for overseeing cryptocurrency or digital asset activities in the DRC. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC does not yet have a complete legal and regulatory framework for the orderly conduct of business and the protection of investments, let alone for crypto-specific activities. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Most foreign direct investment is governed by the 2002 Investment Code, which contains no provisions related to digital assets or virtual currencies. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC implements the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), which strengthened the legal framework in contract, company, and bankruptcy law and set up an accounting system aligned to international standards, but OHADA does not address cryptocurrency. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

A Coordination Committee was established internally in the DRC to monitor OHADA implementation. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Proposed laws and regulations are rarely published in draft format for public discussion and comments; discussion is typically limited to the governmental entity that proposes the draft law and Parliament prior to enactment. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Legislation pending in Parliament addresses consumer protection, e-commerce, liberalization of prices, competition regulation, account auditing, agriculture regulation, trade courts, entrepreneurship, and free trade areas, but no crypto-specific legislation has been identified. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is a civil law country, with main provisions of private law traced to the Napoleonic Civil Code, and the general characteristics of the legal system are similar to the Belgian legal system. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Customary or tribal law is another aspect of DRC's legal system, regulating personal status laws and property rights, especially inheritance and land tenure systems. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has no dedicated domestic competition law regime; the regional competition law regime under COMESA is effectively the only competition law available. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is a World Trade Organization (WTO) member and maintains measures consistent with Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIM) requirements. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has adopted 370 harmonized COMESA standards, according to the Congolese National Standardization Committee. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is a member of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention and has been a Contracting State to the 1958 New York Convention since February 2015. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) declared in 2014 that DRC's payment and receipt procedures conform to EITI requirements, and in 2016 awarded the DRC the first Initiative Award for Transparency in Extractive Industries. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is subject to international sanctions regimes, including UK sanctions under The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which impose financial, trade, and immigration sanctions. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The United States has implemented the Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations at 31 CFR Part 547, which block property of persons contributing to the conflict in the DRC. Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The DRC sanctions regime in the UK aims at promoting the resolution of the armed conflict in the DRC, respect for human rights, compliance with international humanitarian law, and respect for democracy, the rule of law, and good governance. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

There is no licensing or registration requirement for cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, custodians, brokers, or any other virtual asset service providers in the DRC because no crypto-specific regulatory framework exists. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has not established any capital requirements, application processes, or structural requirements for crypto businesses. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No monetary thresholds have been set for any virtual asset licensing because the licensing regime itself does not exist. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

A business seeking to operate in the DRC must work through the general business formation process via the Guichet Unique, which cuts processing time from five months to three days and reduces incorporation fees from $3,000 to $120. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC's efforts to improve its investment framework had some impact, with the World Bank's 2015 Doing Business Report citing the DRC among the world's top ten most improved countries, though it still ranked 184 out of 189 in 2016. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Zero entities have been licensed to conduct cryptocurrency or digital asset activities in the DRC. No licensing regime exists, and therefore no licenses have been granted. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC's regulatory system is characterized by reforms and improved laws that are often poorly or unevenly applied, which would likely affect any future licensing regime. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Congolese Office of Control (OCC) oversees foreign businesses engaged in the DRC but has no mandate or procedure for licensing virtual asset businesses. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

There are no AML/KYC requirements specifically applicable to cryptocurrency businesses in the DRC because no crypto-specific regulatory framework or designated supervisor exists. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), suspicious transaction reporting (STR), record retention, beneficial ownership, or PEP screening obligations have been imposed on virtual asset service providers under DRC law. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The general DRC legal framework for business does not include crypto-specific AML provisions, and the OHADA accounting system aligned to international standards does not extend to virtual assets. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

UK sanctions regulations impose obligations on UK persons and businesses dealing with DRC-related designated persons, including immediate reporting to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) when dealing with a designated person, but this is a UK obligation, not a DRC requirement. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The UK regulations require that if a person or organization finds they are dealing with a person subject to financial sanctions, they must immediately stop dealing with them, freeze any assets, and inform OFSI as soon as possible. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The UK Sanctions List contains the names of all designated persons and the sanctions that have been imposed on them, and checking this list is an essential part of due diligence for many firms. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

No enforcement actions, penalties, fines, arrests, or cases specifically related to cryptocurrency or digital asset violations in the DRC have been identified. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC judicial process is not procedurally reliable — at times it is respected, at times it is not — which affects the enforcement of any business regulations. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

There are instances of ongoing corruption at almost every level of the DRC judicial system. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Several disputes between foreign investors and State Owned Enterprises (SOE) have been resolved in favor of the foreign investor in the DRC judicial system. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The US OFAC sanctions regulations under 31 CFR Part 547 impose penalties for violations of the DRC sanctions regime, including the blocking of property of persons contributing to the conflict in the DRC. Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The UK DRC sanctions regulations apply to any individual, business, or organization undertaking activities anywhere in the UK, any business incorporated under UK law anywhere in the world, and any UK national wherever they are in the world. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The UK regulations prohibit intentionally participating in any activities if the object or effect is to circumvent the prohibitions or to enable or facilitate a breach of those prohibitions. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

No tax guidance has been issued for virtual assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has introduced a VAT and streamlined its tax system, according to the WTO, but no specific provisions address the taxation of cryptocurrency gains, income, or capital gains. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No tax authority, ministry, or other government body in the DRC has issued any guidance, ruling, or regulation concerning the treatment of digital assets for tax purposes. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC does not yet have a complete legal and regulatory framework for the orderly conduct of business, and tax treatment of novel assets like cryptocurrency has not been addressed. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC lacks any legal or regulatory framework specifically for cryptocurrency and digital assets, creating a complete legal vacuum for businesses in this sector. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No designated regulatory authority exists to supervise or license virtual asset service providers, leaving businesses without a clear point of contact or approval process. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Problems encountered within the DRC government tend largely to be administrative and/or bureaucratic in nature, as reforms and improved laws and regulations are often poorly or unevenly applied. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has no formal or informal provisions systematically employed to impede foreign investment, but nor are there provisions that are universally employed to aid foreign investment. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Proposed laws and regulations are rarely published in draft format for public discussion and comments, creating opacity in the legislative process. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Firms continue to complain about widespread corruption and difficulties in doing business in the DRC despite reform efforts. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC still ranked near the bottom of the World Bank's Doing Business rankings at 184 out of 189 in 2016, indicating persistent structural obstacles. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

There is no existing national agency that reviews transactions for competition or antitrust concerns, meaning crypto businesses have no competition law protections at the domestic level. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The current judicial process is not procedurally reliable, creating enforcement risk for any business operating in the country. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has been subject to international sanctions regimes that freeze assets of designated persons contributing to the conflict in the DRC, and crypto businesses must be aware of these obligations when dealing with DRC counterparties. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The US sanctions regulations block property of persons determined to be political or military leaders of armed groups operating in the DRC, recruiters of child soldiers, or persons committing serious violations of international law, creating compliance risks for businesses that may unknowingly deal with designated persons. Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The UK DRC sanctions regime imposes director disqualification sanctions, meaning designated persons are disqualified from being directors of UK companies and foreign companies with a sufficient connection to the UK. Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The DRC's accession to the New York Convention includes a reservation that excludes disputes related to immovable property, which under Congolese law includes mining rights, potentially affecting crypto mining operations. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

No FATF-style mutual evaluation or Moneyval assessment specific to the DRC's virtual asset framework has been identified, indicating the DRC has not engaged with international standard-setting bodies on crypto regulation. Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

eCFR :: 31 CFR Part 547 -- Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

No licensing regime specific to cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, or other virtual asset service providers exists under current DRC law, and no entities have been licensed for crypto activities Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The only directly applicable regulatory instruments are international sanctions regimes targeting designated persons and entities in the DRC, which impose asset freezes and prohibitions relevant to financial transactions Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements (ANAPI), with website investindrc.cd, is the DRC agency mandated to simplify the investment process and assist foreign investors, but it does not regulate digital assets Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC has established ten commercial courts in main business cities including Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Matadi, Kisangani, and Mbuji-Mayi, staffed by professional judges specializing in commercial matters, which would be the venue for crypto-related commercial disputes Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The 2002 Investment Code governs most foreign direct investment, and mining, hydrocarbons, finance, and other sectors are governed by sector-specific investment laws, but no sector-specific law addresses virtual assets Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Legislation is pending in Parliament to address consumer protection, e-commerce, liberalization of prices, competition regulation, and free trade areas, but none of these pending bills specifically addresses cryptocurrency regulation Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC implemented OHADA, which strengthened its legal framework in the areas of contract, company, and bankruptcy law and established an accounting system aligned with international standards, but OHADA does not cover digital assets Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC's internal legislation facilitating accession to the New York Convention contains reservations regarding reciprocity, commerciality, non-retroactivity, and excludes disputes related to immovable property, which under Congolese law includes mining rights Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The US Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations are codified at 31 CFR Part 547, implementing Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, and Executive Order 13671 eCFR :: 31 CFR Part 547 -- Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The DRC legal system is divided into three branches: public law, private law, and economic law, with economic law regulating interactions in labor, trade, mining, and investment Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC is a signatory to OHADA and adopted the OHADA Uniform Act on Arbitration, which sets out rules applicable to arbitration where the seat is in an OHADA member state Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

As a member of COMESA, the DRC falls under the COMESA Competition Regulations and COMESA Competition Rules, which are binding on all member states and constitute the only competition law available given the absence of a domestic competition regime Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The source texts provided do not indicate DRC's FATF membership status or mutual evaluation results, and no such information was included in the available materials

No licensing regime exists in the DRC specifically for cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, virtual asset service providers, or any other digital asset businesses, as confirmed by the absence of any such provisions in the available legal framework Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

There is no national agency in the DRC that reviews transactions for competition or antitrust concerns, and the only competition law available is the regional COMESA regime, meaning crypto businesses have no domestic competition review requirement Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

ANAPI is the DRC agency whose mandate is to simplify the investment process and make procedures more transparent for new foreign investors, but it does not issue licenses for crypto activities Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Neither the UK Sanctions Regulations nor the US OFAC regulations provide a licensing framework for crypto businesses operating in the DRC; the US regulations at 31 CFR Part 547 address only sanctions-related licensing eCFR :: 31 CFR Part 547 -- Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The statutory guidance for DRC sanctions confirms that the sanctions regime imposes prohibitions but does not establish a licensing system for virtual asset businesses Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

No AML/KYC requirements specific to virtual assets or cryptocurrency businesses exist in the DRC regulatory framework, as the country lacks a complete legal and regulatory framework for the orderly conduct of business Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in the UK is responsible for implementing UK financial sanctions and requires that if a person or organization is found to be subject to financial sanctions, the entity must immediately stop dealing with them, freeze any assets held for them, and inform OFSI as soon as possible Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The US sanctions regime at 31 CFR Part 547 blocks all property and interests in property in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons of persons listed in the Annex to Executive Order 13413 and persons designated for various activities including being political or military leaders of armed groups, committing serious violations of international law, or supplying arms to the DRC Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The UK DRC sanctions require checking the UK Sanctions List as an essential part of due diligence for firms and other organizations Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The US sanctions regulations define "funds" to include financial assets and benefits of every kind, including cash, securities, and interest, and define "financial services" to include payment and money transmission services Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions: statutory guidance - GOV.UK

The source materials do not describe any DRC-specific customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), suspicious transaction reporting (STR), record retention, beneficial ownership, or PEP screening requirements applicable to crypto businesses, as no such framework exists under current law

The source materials do not describe any enforcement actions against cryptocurrency businesses in the DRC, consistent with the absence of a regulatory framework and the lack of a licensing regime Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The US Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations at 31 CFR Part 547 establish penalties for violations, but no specific enforcement case involving digital assets is described in the available source text Federal Register :: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

The DRC judicial system is described as not procedurally reliable, with the national court system providing a mechanism for appealing and OHADA providing regulations to appeal verdicts, but no crypto-related enforcement actions are documented in the sources Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The WTO noted in October 2016 that the DRC had made positive developments including streamlining of the country's tax system and introduction of a VAT, but this does not extend to specific treatment of cryptocurrency Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

In 2015, the DRC adopted a new law aimed at aligning its national tariff with the common external tariff of COMESA, which relates to import duties and not to digital asset taxation Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The CPCAI has eliminated 46 of 117 taxes applied to cross-border trade since its inception, but no tax measures or reforms address cryptocurrency gains, mining rewards, or digital asset transactions Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The source materials contain no provisions addressing income tax treatment, capital gains treatment, or VAT treatment of virtual assets, confirming the complete absence of tax guidance for digital assets

The DRC lacks a complete legal and regulatory framework for the orderly conduct of business and the protection of investments, creating significant legal uncertainty for cryptocurrency businesses operating in the country Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Reforms and improved laws and regulations are often poorly or unevenly applied in the DRC, with problems encountered being largely administrative and/or bureaucratic in nature, which would likely affect any future crypto regulatory implementation Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The current judicial process in the DRC is not procedurally reliable, at times respected and at times not, creating risks for crypto businesses seeking legal remedies Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The DRC ranked near the bottom of the World Bank's ease of doing business rankings at 184 out of 189 in 2016, reflecting a challenging environment for all businesses including crypto enterprises Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

There are no formal or informal provisions systematically employed to aid foreign investment in the DRC, meaning crypto businesses cannot rely on investment promotion mechanisms Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

The US sanctions regulations at 31 CFR Part 547 impose obligations on US persons, blocking property of designated persons, which affects US crypto businesses with DRC connections even without local DRC regulation eCFR :: 31 CFR Part 547 -- Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations

Arbitral judgments against the DRC government are often not paid in a timely manner, if at all, creating enforcement risks for crypto investors who prevail in disputes against the state Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield

Legislation to address consumer protection and e-commerce remains pending in Parliament with little progress, leaving gaps in protections for crypto consumers and digital commerce participants Congo, Democratic Republic - 4-Legal Regime | Privacy Shield