Morocco Bans Bitcoin

news.Bitcoin.com caught up with Bellaj Badr, CTO of Mchain and a blockchain consultant based in Marrakech, the country’s economic hub. “Although this decision comes as no surprise, I am very disappointed by this ban which harms the country’s image in Africa and worldwide,” Mr. Badr laments.

Government regulators issued stiff threats aimed at bitcoiners and cryptocurrency enthusiasts in the region, stating: “The Office des Changes exhorts the people concerned to comply with the provisions of the Exchange Regulations which stipulate that financial transactions with foreign countries must be made via authorized intermediaries and with foreign currencies listed by Bank Al-Maghrib,” the release scorned.

Channeling Orwell, the missive concludes, “The Office des Changes in collaboration with Bank Al-Maghrib and the Professional Group of Banks of Morocco follow with interest the evolution of virtual currencies in Morocco.”

Mr. Badr is incredulous. He told news.Bitcoin.com, “In fact, we are henceforth counted among the few countries which are illegalizing bitcoin and limiting people’s freedom.”