Regulatory AlertsMozambique: crypto & digital assets regulation
RegulatedMozambique: VASP registration via BDM under Notice 4/2023; crypto payments banned
- Lead regulator
- Bank of Mozambique (Banco de Moçambique)
- Also involved
- Banco de Moçambique (primary supervisor)
- Core law
- Notice No. 4/GBM/2023 (2023)
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Registered VASP only
- Data protection
- Lei da Protecção de Dados Pessoais · Autoridade Reguladora
- Sandbox
- No
The Bank of Mozambique (BDM) regulates Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) through a mandatory registration regime established by Notice No. 4/GBM/2023. While VASP activities like exchange and custody are regulated, the use of virtual assets for payments is explicitly prohibited. The regulatory stance is restrictive regarding fiat-crypto interfaces but provides a clear path for service providers to register.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | LicenceVASP Registration[1] Mandatory registration for exchange services under Notice 4/2023 | — | — | Bank of Mozambique |
| Custody of client assets | LicenceVASP Registration[1] Mandatory registration for custody services under Notice 4/2023 | — | — | Bank of Mozambique |
| Token issuance / public offering | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regime for token issuance identified | — | — | — |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regime for broker-dealer activities identified | — | — | — |
| Stablecoin issuance | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regime for stablecoin issuance identified | — | — | — |
| Crypto payments acceptance | Prohibited[1] Use of virtual assets for payments is prohibited | — | — | Bank of Mozambique |
| Mining / staking services | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regime for mining/staking identified | — | — | — |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regime for advisory services identified | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2023-09Notice No. 4/GBM/2023 — Established mandatory registration for VASPs and prohibited virtual asset payments[1]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Register as VASP with BDMSubmit application under Notice 4/GBM/2023 for exchange or custody activities.
- 2Avoid payment servicesDo not offer virtual asset payment acceptance as it is prohibited.
- 3Prepare compliance frameworkImplement AML/CFT measures required for VASP registration.
- 4Verify capital requirementsCheck current BDM circulars for specific minimum capital thresholds.