Best Crypto Cards in Morocco (2026)

Morocco's crypto regulatory history begins with the joint communique of November 2017, when three authorities - Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM, Banque Centrale du Maroc, بنك المغرب), the AMMC (Autorite Marocaine du Marche des Capitaux, الهيئة المغربية لسوق الرساميل), and the Office des Changes (مكتب الصرف) - declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal. The ban covered buying, selling, holding, and using virtual currencies for payments.

In November 2025, Bank Al-Maghrib and the AMMC published a comprehensive draft law to legalize and regulate digital assets. The bill establishes four pillars: investor protection, market integrity and AML/CFT compliance, innovation promotion, and financial stability safeguards. Under the proposed framework, the AMMC will oversee token issuance and licensing of crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), while BAM will regulate stablecoins and asset-backed tokens.

The draft aligns with international standards from the IMF, BIS, and FATF. It requires CASPs to obtain licenses, maintain capital reserves, implement KYC/AML procedures, and segregate client funds. The Exchange Office will monitor cross-border crypto flows. Morocco is actively transitioning from prohibition to regulated legalization. The draft law is expected to pass in 2026, making Morocco one of the first North African countries to establish a comprehensive crypto framework.

Under the current ban, there is no formal crypto tax framework. However, the draft legislation proposes a capital gains tax of 15-30% on cryptocurrency profits, mirroring the treatment of securities under the General Tax Code (Code General des Impots, المدونة العامة للضرائب). The Direction Generale des Impots (DGI, المديرية العامة للضرائب) will administer crypto taxation once the law passes.

Progressive income tax rates of 10% to 38% may apply to mining, staking, and airdrop income classified as professional earnings. Corporate entities involved in crypto activities face standard corporate tax rates.

Example: You acquired BTC worth MAD 10,000 and it appreciated to MAD 30,000. If you spent MAD 30,000 via a crypto card, the MAD 20,000 gain could attract 15-30% tax = MAD 3,000 to MAD 6,000 in tax once the law is enacted.

USDC funding minimizes the tax burden on the disposal side. However, until the draft law passes, the legal status of crypto activity itself remains the primary concern. The treatment of DeFi yields and NFTs has not been addressed in the draft. Moroccan nationals living abroad should follow the tax rules of their country of residence. The loss offset rules remain unclear under the proposed framework.

Moroccan crypto card applications would require a Carte Nationale d'Identite Electronique (CNIE, البطاقة الوطنية للتعريف الإلكترونية), the mandatory biometric smart card for all Moroccan citizens over 16 issued by the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN). The CNIE contains biometric data (fingerprints, facial image) and a unique national identifier.

Alternative identification: Moroccan passport (جواز السفر المغربي, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Proof of address via utility bills from ONEE (Office National de l'Electricite et de l'Eau Potable), Lydec (Casablanca), Amendis (Tangier-Tetouan), or bank statements from Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE Bank of Africa, or Banque Populaire.

In practice, most offshore crypto card issuers may not accept Moroccan CNIE cards for KYC verification due to the current ban. Moroccan nationals with European residency permits (carte de sejour in France, tarjeta de residencia in Spain, permesso di soggiorno in Italy) have significantly higher approval rates. Virtual cards for Apple Pay or Google Pay are the most practical option, avoiding shipping challenges.

The Diaspora and Remittance Angle

Morocco receives approximately $12 billion in annual remittances (World Bank 2024), making it one of the largest remittance recipients in the MENA region and Africa. An estimated 5+ million Moroccans live abroad, primarily in France (1.5M+), Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada. Traditional remittance channels (Western Union, MoneyGram, Wafacash, Barid Bank Cash Express) charge 4-8% in fees. Stablecoin transfers via crypto cards could theoretically reduce this to near zero, making the technology enormously relevant for the diaspora.

Card Selection for Moroccans Abroad

• KAST (2% cashback, free): Best no-fee starter with GLOBAL coverage and minimal KYC
• RedotPay (3% on Solana, free virtual): Best for stablecoin spending
• MetaMask (1%, free): Best self-custody option
• Crypto.com (up to 5%): Best for those who already hold CRO

Spending Scenario: MAD 3,000/month (approx. $300, Moroccan Professional Abroad)

MAD 720/year (approx. $72) in cashback. For diaspora members, the bigger savings come from avoiding traditional remittance fees (4-8% on $12B+ annual flows). Even a 2% reduction would save Morocco $240 million annually.

Local Payment Infrastructure

Morocco's domestic payment landscape is evolving rapidly. Maroc Telecom m-wallet and Orange Money serve mobile payments, though adoption remains low (only 6% of Moroccans have mobile wallets). MarocPay (activated by the Centre Monetique Interbancaire/CMI) serves over 8 million wallet holders. CIH Pay was among the first Moroccan banks to support Apple Pay (introduced 2023). Visa and Mastercard contactless payments are accepted at malls (Morocco Mall, Anfa Place in Casablanca, Menara Mall in Marrakech), supermarkets (Marjane, Carrefour, Acima), hotels, and restaurants in major cities. Cash remains overwhelmingly dominant in souks, local markets, and rural areas. Google Pay is supported at select retailers.

MAD Stability

The Moroccan dirham operates under a managed float, pegged to a basket of EUR (60%) and USD (40%). This provides relative stability compared to fully floating currencies, but MAD has gradually weakened against the euro. Holding stablecoins (USDC/USDT) provides a hedge against further depreciation while maintaining spending capability.

Global issuers: Crypto.com (up to 5%), KAST (2%), Wirex (up to 8%), and RedotPay list global coverage. MetaMask (1%) offers self-custody spending. Practical access from within Morocco is restricted by the current ban.

Who left/never entered: No major crypto exchange has ever operated formally in Morocco. Binance P2P is the most popular on-ramp (MAD pairs available), but operates illegally. Coinmama advertises Morocco availability with card and bank options. Bybit, Kraken, and OKX serve Moroccan users through global platforms without local registration. No exchange has sought Moroccan licensing because no licensing framework exists yet.

Local landscape: No domestic crypto exchanges exist legally. P2P trading through Binance P2P, Telegram groups, and informal OTC networks handles the majority of Morocco's crypto volume. Traditional banks (Attijariwafa, BMCE, Banque Populaire) do not offer any crypto services and block suspected crypto-related transactions.

ether.fi (3%, credit-based) offers a borrow-to-spend model via staking yield, but requires offshore crypto holdings that Moroccan residents cannot legally maintain under the current ban.

Morocco's draft crypto legislation represents the most significant regulatory shift in North Africa. Once enacted, it could open the door for licensed exchanges and card issuers, transforming the country from one of the region's most restrictive markets to a regulated hub.