Zimbabwe has placed cryptocurrency companies under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe through new anti-money laundering rules.
summary
- Zimbabwe Statutory Instrument No. 99 of 2026 places cryptocurrency companies under the Federal Reserve Bank’s anti-money laundering supervision.
- Cryptocurrency companies must register as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) before offering digital asset services locally.
- Companies with intelligent control over contracts, routing funds, or powers to set fees must comply.
Legal Instrument No. 99 of 2026 places cryptocurrency companies within the RBZ unit that handles financial crime controls. The rules require companies that buy, sell, transfer or store digital assets to register as digital asset service providers.
Cryptocurrency companies must register as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
The new framework gives Zimbabwe an official form Rulebook for virtual assets Service providers. It covers trading companies that help customers access, transfer, hold or exchange digital assets. The government introduced the system after years of legal uncertainty in the cryptocurrency sector.
In 2018, the central bank ordered banks to stop processing transactions related to cryptocurrencies. The latest rules end this gap by creating a straightforward registration process. Cryptocurrency companies now need legal recognition before they can operate in the local market.
According to a report, Zimbabwe wants to avoid the FATF gray list. The report linked the rules to anti-money laundering and financial crimes compliance. Techzim described the move as a regulatory message to global oversight bodies. “A big part of SI99 is Zimbabwe showcasing its duties to the world,” Techzim reported.
Compliance rules add banking-style requirements
The regulations place cryptocurrency operators under compliance requirements similar to those in commercial banking. Digital asset companies must establish a legally registered local subsidiary. The statutory instrument also specifies an annual registration fee of $500.
Managers must clear the background before their companies can get approved. Rules require Crypto companies To implement the travel ruling. This requirement makes companies collect and share transaction data during qualifying asset transfers.
The framework focuses on financial crime controls rather than the adoption of cryptocurrencies as legal tender. Techzim stated that the rules do not give sovereign endorsement to cryptocurrencies. The anti-money laundering arm of the Federal Reserve Bank (RBZ) will supervise entities registered under the new regime. Thus, the rules link cryptocurrency activity to existing national financial surveillance systems.
Intelligent contract control leads to compliance
The legal instrument uses a technology-neutral approach to digital finance activities. It states that decentralization alone does not exempt operators from legal liability. Organizations that can alter smart contracts meet the control test under the rules. Companies that direct funds or set transaction fees also meet this compliance threshold.
This approach introduces some decentralized financing structures into the regulatory environment. It focuses on controlling systems, rather than the nomenclature used by cryptocurrency projects. Local fintech startups may face higher operating costs under the new requirements.
However, supporters of the rules say clear guidelines reduce the risk of surprise regulatory action. Legislation now gives Zimbabwe Official registration path for cryptocurrency companies. It also gives the Fed direct oversight of companies that deal with digital asset services.
