Taliban Declares Cryptocurrency Banned in Badghis

A resident of Badghis province shared a video with Afghanistan International, capturing a Taliban herald denouncing cryptocurrency as un-Islamic.

The herald in the video asserts that cryptocurrency is considered gambling and haram (forbidden) according to Islam.

The footage shows two Taliban members on a motorbike, using a loudspeaker to campaign against the use of digital currencies.

The individual who shared the video mentioned it was filmed in the Sang Atash district of Badghis province.

Additionally, in a separate audio message, Abdul Samad Jawid, the Taliban-appointed governor of Badghis, announced a ban on digital and online currency transactions within the province.

He emphasised that individuals defying this ban would face legal repercussions.

The Taliban-led Central Bank had previously prohibited online trading in foreign currencies across Afghanistan.

The economic downturn following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021 has prompted many Afghans to explore online trading and digital currencies as a means to preserve their assets.