Best Crypto Cards in Tunisia (2026)

Tunisia's crypto regulatory framework rests on a 2018 directive from the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT, Banque Centrale de Tunisie, البنك المركزي التونسي) that criminalized unauthorized virtual currency activities. The directive was issued under the broader currency-control framework, which restricts capital flows and foreign exchange transactions. The BCT is supported by the Financial Market Authority (CMF, Conseil du Marche Financier, مجلس سوق الأوراق المالية) for securities oversight and the Tunisian Financial Analysis Committee (CTAF) for AML/CFT compliance.

Penalties for crypto violations are severe: up to five years in prison and fines that may exceed 100,000 TND. The offense is treated as a breach of currency-control law, not a standalone crypto regulation.

However, the BCT operates a regulatory sandbox that allows small groups of fintechs to test blockchain-based payments, remittances, and traceability platforms in controlled environments. This signals institutional openness to blockchain technology even while crypto remains banned.

As of 2025, parliamentary committees are actively considering a draft bill that would decriminalize crypto possession and create a licensing regime for virtual-asset service providers (VASPs). The proposed framework includes conditional exchange licenses, mandatory on-shore KYC, and a progressive capital gains tax regime. The timeline: framework by 2026, sandbox expansion in 2026, pilot exchanges by 2027, and full retail access by 2028. Tunisia is also exploring a digital dinar (CBDC).

Under the current ban, there is no formal cryptocurrency tax framework in Tunisia. Crypto profits are legally classified as proceeds of illegal activity and subject to confiscation rather than taxation. The Direction Generale des Impots (DGI, الإدارة العامة للضرائب) has not issued specific guidance on crypto taxation.

The draft legislation under consideration proposes a progressive capital gains tax regime that would apply once trading is legalized. Tunisia's existing capital gains tax rate on securities is 10% for individuals. Standard income tax rates are progressive, reaching up to 35% for the highest bracket. Corporate income tax is 15% (standard rate, reduced from 25% in recent reforms).

Example: Under the proposed framework, if you acquired BTC worth TND 1,000 and it appreciated to TND 3,000, spending TND 3,000 via a crypto card could trigger a TND 2,000 capital gain. At an estimated 10% rate, that would be approximately TND 200 in tax.

USDC funding will minimize tax complexity once a framework exists. The fundamental issue is that crypto activity itself is currently illegal, making taxation secondary. Tunisian nationals living abroad should follow the tax rules of their country of residence. Tunisia has bilateral tax treaties with France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Canada.

Tunisian crypto card applications would require a Carte d'Identite Nationale (CIN, بطاقة التعريف الوطنية), the mandatory biometric identity card for all Tunisian citizens aged 18 and older, issued by the Ministry of Interior. Tunisia is also rolling out E-Houwiya (الهوية الإلكترونية), a national digital identity system designed to enable secure remote verification for banking and government services.

Alternative identification: Tunisian passport (جواز السفر التونسي, issued by the Ministry of Interior). Proof of address via utility bills from STEG (Societe Tunisienne de l'Electricite et du Gaz), SONEDE (Societe Nationale d'Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux), or bank statements from BIAT, BNA, or Amen Bank.

The BCT published new KYC regulations in February 2025 enabling remote onboarding via E-Houwiya, improving access for unbanked populations. Flouci already uses eKYC with CIN photo verification and facial recognition for remote bank account opening. However, most offshore crypto card issuers may not accept Tunisian CIN cards for KYC. Tunisian nationals with European residency documents have significantly higher approval rates. Virtual cards are the most practical option.

The Diaspora Remittance Corridor

Tunisia receives approximately $2.3 billion in annual remittances (World Bank), primarily from France (700K+ Tunisians), Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Canada. Traditional remittance channels (La Poste Tunisienne, Western Union, RIA) charge 5-8% in fees. Stablecoin transfers via crypto cards theoretically reduce this cost dramatically, making the technology enormously relevant for Tunisia's 1.5+ million diaspora, even while domestic use remains illegal.

Card Selection for Tunisians 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: TND 600/month (approx. $190, Tunisian Professional Abroad)

TND 144/year (approx. $46) in cashback. For Tunisian diaspora members, the bigger savings come from avoiding traditional remittance fees (5-8% on $2.3B+ annual flows).

Local Payment Infrastructure

Tunisia's digital payment ecosystem is growing rapidly. Flouci (developed by Kaoun) pioneered remote eKYC bank account opening using CIN photos and facial recognition. D17 is a popular digital wallet for peer-to-peer transfers and bill payments. La Poste Tunisienne serves millions through postal banking and money orders. Card acceptance is strongest in Tunis (Berges du Lac, La Marsa, Sidi Bou Said), Sousse, Hammamet, Djerba, and other tourist areas. Hotels, malls (Tunisia Mall, Lac Palace), supermarkets (Carrefour, Monoprix, Geant), and restaurants in tourist zones accept Visa and Mastercard. Cash remains dominant in medinas, local markets, and rural areas. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not officially supported in Tunisia.

The Dinar and Capital Controls

The Tunisian dinar operates under strict capital controls, with the BCT managing exchange rates. The TND has depreciated against the euro and dollar, making stablecoins attractive as a store of value for those with access to offshore crypto. Capital controls make it nearly impossible to hold foreign currency through traditional banking channels.

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 Tunisia is restricted by the current ban and capital controls.

Who left/never entered: No major crypto exchange has ever operated formally in Tunisia. Binance P2P serves Tunisian users with TND pairs through informal channels, making it the primary on-ramp despite operating in a legal gray zone. Paxful (before shutdown) was active in North Africa. No exchange has sought Tunisian licensing because no framework exists yet.

Local landscape: No domestic crypto exchanges exist legally. P2P trading through Binance P2P, Telegram groups, and informal OTC networks handles most volume. The BCT's regulatory sandbox has tested blockchain-based remittance platforms, but these are controlled experiments, not public services. Banks (BIAT, BNA, Amen Bank, Attijari Bank) do not offer 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 Tunisian residents cannot legally maintain under the current ban.

Tunisia's BCT regulatory sandbox and the parliamentary draft bill represent North Africa's most structured path from prohibition to regulated legalization. The 2026-2028 timeline, if implemented, would make Tunisia the second North African country (after Morocco's expected 2026 framework) to formalize crypto regulation.