Issue #48 of the Official Gazette of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria published on 24 July 2025:
Tighter Financial Controls, Virtual Asset Ban, and Enhanced Data Protection
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Issue #48
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Year 2025
Major legal reforms: A comprehensive ban on virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) and tightened anti-money laundering measures, alongside new personal data protections including the appointment of Data Protection Officers.
1. Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
The new law significantly strengthens the legislative framework against financial crimes, imposes a strict ban on cryptocurrencies, expands oversight of financial transactions and beneficial ownership of companies, and increases penalties.
Comprehensive amendment to the law on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Ban on the issuance, purchase, sale, use, or promotion of virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) and their mining.
Introduction of new definitions such as 'virtual assets,' 'politically exposed persons,' and 'beneficial owner.'
Strengthened due diligence obligations for financial institutions and designated non-financial professions (lawyers, notaries, real estate agents, etc.).
Requirement for companies to declare and maintain records of their beneficial owners.
Imposition of stricter financial and administrative sanctions for non-compliance.
Ban on the issuance, purchase, sale, use, or promotion of virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) and their mining.
Introduction of new definitions such as 'virtual assets,' 'politically exposed persons,' and 'beneficial owner.'
Strengthened due diligence obligations for financial institutions and designated non-financial professions (lawyers, notaries, real estate agents, etc.).
Requirement for companies to declare and maintain records of their beneficial owners.
Imposition of stricter financial and administrative sanctions for non-compliance.
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2. Personal Data Protection
Updates the data protection law to align with international standards, imposing new obligations on data processors such as appointing a DPO, and setting specific rules for data handling by judicial and security authorities.
Introduction of new concepts like 'biometric data,' 'profiling,' and 'pseudonymization.'
Obligation for data controllers to appoint a 'Data Protection Officer' (DPO).
Addition of a new chapter regulating data processing for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenses.
Establishment of specific procedures for notifying the national authority and the data subject in case of a data breach.
Definition of new conditions for transferring personal data to foreign countries or international organizations.
Obligation for data controllers to appoint a 'Data Protection Officer' (DPO).
Addition of a new chapter regulating data processing for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenses.
Establishment of specific procedures for notifying the national authority and the data subject in case of a data breach.
Definition of new conditions for transferring personal data to foreign countries or international organizations.
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3. Local Government Finance for 2025
The Ministry of Interior has issued orders setting the key financial rates for municipal and wilaya budgets for 2025, including their contributions to the solidarity fund and the minimum allocation for investment.
The participation rate of municipalities in the solidarity and guarantee fund for local authorities is set at 2% for the year 2025.
The participation rate of wilayas in the same fund is set at 5% for the year 2025.
The minimum mandatory levy rate on operating revenues of municipal and wilaya budgets, intended for equipment and investment expenses, is set at 10% for 2025.
The participation rate of wilayas in the same fund is set at 5% for the year 2025.
The minimum mandatory levy rate on operating revenues of municipal and wilaya budgets, intended for equipment and investment expenses, is set at 10% for 2025.
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4. Appointments and Terminations in Public Administration
A series of executive decrees formalizing the appointment and termination of high-level officials across various ministries and public bodies, including the culture, higher education, energy, and health sectors.
Termination and appointment of senior officials in several sectors.
Changes include directors in the ministries of Culture, Agriculture, Water Resources, and Energy.
New appointments of university vice-rectors, deans of faculties, and directors of higher institutes.
Appointment of new directors for new city development agencies (Bouinan, Draâ Errich) and wilaya health directors.
Changes include directors in the ministries of Culture, Agriculture, Water Resources, and Energy.
New appointments of university vice-rectors, deans of faculties, and directors of higher institutes.
Appointment of new directors for new city development agencies (Bouinan, Draâ Errich) and wilaya health directors.
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