When banks in Algeria block international transfers and freeze crypto-related accounts, stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to real-world assets like the US dollar to avoid volatility. Also known as pegged tokens, they’re the only practical way for Algerians to hold value outside the local currency. With inflation rising and access to foreign exchange shrinking, people aren’t buying Bitcoin to get rich—they’re buying USDT to keep what they have.
Most Algerians don’t trade on centralized exchanges. They use P2P crypto Algeria, peer-to-peer platforms where buyers and sellers connect directly, often using mobile money or cash deposits. Platforms like MEXC and Bybit are popular, but users rely on Telegram groups and local traders to complete deals. You won’t find bank transfers here—payments are hidden under the radar: mobile top-ups, gift cards, even cash handoffs in cafés. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
The real question isn’t whether stablecoins are legal—they’re not officially recognized—but whether they’re necessary. The Algerian government has cracked down on crypto exchanges and banned financial institutions from processing crypto payments. Yet, daily P2P volume keeps growing. People aren’t gambling. They’re protecting savings. Some use DAI on Polygon, a decentralized stablecoin built on a low-cost blockchain, less traceable than USDT and harder for banks to block. Others stick with USDT because it’s everywhere. Both have risks: scams, fake traders, sudden platform shutdowns. But the alternative—watching your savings lose value month after month—is worse.
There’s no official guide, no government-approved app. What you learn comes from trial, word of mouth, and shared warnings. You’ll find people trading USDT for Algerian dinars through local sellers who charge a 5% premium. You’ll hear about traders who got locked out of their wallets after a P2P scam. You’ll see how a single Telegram group can keep an entire city connected to the global crypto economy.
What follows are real stories from Algerians who’ve navigated this space—how they bought their first stablecoin, which platforms they trust, what went wrong, and how they adapted. No theory. No fluff. Just what people are actually doing in 2025 to survive the financial squeeze.
After Algeria's 2025 total crypto ban, underground trading persists through P2P deals, stablecoins, and VPNs. Despite prison sentences and heavy fines, citizens use crypto to protect savings from inflation and bypass broken banking systems.
