SEC Ghana Announces Virtual Asset Sandbox Participants

‘Ensuring Investor Protection’
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF VIRTUAL ASSET SANDBOX PARTICIPANTS (NOTICE NO. SEC/PR/001/03/2026) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Securities and Exchange Commission, Ghana, hereinafter referred to as the “SEC”, is mandated to regulate and promote the growth and development of an efficient, fair and transparent securities market in which investors, and the integrity of the market are protected. The SEC wishes to inform the public and all market operators that in operationalizing the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154), the Commission has finalized its regulatory sandbox framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to pilot their products and services in a controlled environment under the regulatory oversight of the Commission. The regulatory sandbox period will last for a period of (12) twelve months. After the first six months of the 12-month period, VASPs, whose products and services are market ready and have complied with all regulatory requirements, may be transitioned to their respective activity-based license/registration. VASPs whose product and services are NOT market ready within the first six (6) months may be allowed to continue the pilot of their product for the remaining six months. This sandbox period aims to support responsible innovation while strengthening investor protection, market integrity, and compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. Lessons from the pilot will inform future policy and licensing frameworks for virtual assets services. This will enable the SEC to gather data to develop Guidelines for the various activity-based licensing categories. The SEC shall publish these Guidelines and open up the space for licensing/registration for all VASPs to apply to be licensed under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154).

The following virtual asset service providers have been admitted into the SEC regulatory sandbox. Their participation in the sandbox provide the SEC the opportunity to validate the draft guidelines on the various activity-based licensing categories under the Schedule in the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154).

1. AFRICOIN
2. BLU PENGUIN
3. GOLDBOD
4. HANYPAY
5. HYRO EXCHANGE GH LTD
6. HSB GLOBAL
7. KOINKOIN
8. WHITEBITS
9. VAULTA
10. XCHAIN
11. BSYSTEM LTD
    For further information, kindly send an email to vasp@sec.gov.gh , call +233-302-768970-2 or the toll-free line, 0800100065, or visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov.gh . This Press Release is issued pursuant to sections 3 and 208(c) of the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929), as amended and Sections (43-50) of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154). ISSUED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) DATED: 10TH MARCH, 2026