Jurisdiction reference
Cameroon
Regulator: COBAC / BEAC. License/registration context: None. 1 VASP/entity record are tracked by Plexo Institute in Cameroon. Official registry source: source validation pending. Data last updated: 2026-09-24.
Cameroon operates under COBAC Decision D-2022/071 (May 2022), a live regulatory prohibition that comprehensively bans all regulated financial institutions from facilitating cryptocurrency transactions of any kind. This blanket prohibition applies equally to all stablecoin types (fiat-backed, crypto-backed, commodity-backed, and algorithmic) without distinction. While COSUMAF (the financial market supervisor) issued general virtual asset service provider regulations in July 2022 and May 2023, these focus on licensing and supervision of VASPs but do not create exemptions for stablecoin issuance. The BEAC (central bank) has consistently opposed cryptocurrency adoption to protect the CFA franc and monetary policy autonomy. The regulatory environment permits no institutional pathways for stablecoin use; personal ownership remains technically legal but disconnected from the formal financial system. Recent 2025 BEAC digital payment modernization rules do not address stablecoins.
Regulatory Status
- Jurisdiction code
- CM
- Regulator
- COBAC / BEAC
- Travel Rule
- Not Implemented
- Tracked entities
- 1
- Yield-bearing stablecoins
- Restricted
- Currency
- XAF
Regulatory approach
COBAC (primary enforcement): A regional prudential regulator supervising banks, microfinance institutions, and payment service providers across the CEMAC zone (Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo). COBAC issues binding prudential standards and AML/CFT directives applicable to all regulated institutions. COBAC Decision D-2022/071 represents the operative live regulation prohibiting all cryptocurrency and stablecoin transactions. BEAC (central bank): The monetary authority for CEMAC member states, responsible for monetary policy, financial stability, and payment system regulation. BEAC enforces the exclusive use of the CFA franc and maintains a stated policy opposition to cryptocurrency adoption. COSUMAF (market regulator): The Financial Market Supervisory Commission of CEMAC, which supervises securities markets and has extended its purview to virtual asset service providers through licensing frameworks that do not exempt stablecoins. ANIF (AML/CFT): Cameroon's national Financial Intelligence Unit, which receives and analyzes suspicious transaction reports from financial institutions. Any detected stablecoin or cryptocurrency-related activities would trigger compliance investigations.
Licensed entities in Cameroon
1 regulated-entity record tracked in Cameroon by Plexo Institute.
| Entity | Status | License type |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Card Cameroon | Registered | Operating |
Stablecoin laws in Cameroon
Primary legal texts Plexo Institute tracks for Cameroon.
- Regulation No. 01/22/CEMAC/UMAC/CM/COSUMAF on the Organization and Functioning of the Financial Market in Central Africa (enacted 2022-07-21)
This regulation extends the definition of market intermediaries to include Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and establishes a licensing framework for entities providing services related to virtual assets, including buying and selling crypto assets with legal tender currency or other crypto assets. However, this regulation does NOT create an exemption from COBAC Decision D-2022/071. It establishes a dual regulatory structure: COBAC prohibition applies to regulated institutions (banks, microfinance, payment services), while COSUMAF licensing could theoretically apply to independent VASPs operating outside the traditional regulated financial system. Critically, stablecoins remain prohibited for all regulated institutions, and VASP licensing does not override this prohibition.
- Decision COBAC D-2022/071 relating to the Holding, Use, Exchange and Conversion of Cryptocurrencies or Crypto-Assets by Institutions Subject to COBAC (enacted 2022-05-06)
This binding prudential decision prohibits all regulated financial institutions (banks, microfinance institutions, payment institutions, exchange offices, and their technical partners) across the CEMAC zone from subscribing to or holding cryptocurrencies of any kind for their own account or on behalf of third parties; exchanging, converting, settling, or hedging in foreign currency or CFA francs any cryptocurrency-related transactions; or using any cryptocurrency as a means of valuing assets or liabilities. The decision was issued in response to the Central African Republic's April 2022 adoption of Law n°22.004 granting Bitcoin legal tender status. COBAC emphasized financial stability concerns, including market volatility, operational risk, liquidity risk, money laundering and terrorist financing risk, and tax evasion risk.
Relationship Graph
Jurisdiction FAQ
Who regulates Cameroon?
The current Plexo Institute record lists COBAC / BEAC as the regulator for Cameroon.
How many VASPs are tracked in Cameroon?
1 VASP/entity record are tracked by Plexo Institute in Cameroon.
What is the Travel Rule status in Cameroon?
The current Plexo Institute record lists the Travel Rule status for Cameroon as Not Implemented.
Source Evidence
This profile is compiled from official legislation and regulator records. Source confidence: source evidence missing.
Source validation is still required before this page can move from noindex to an opened crawler cohort.