Crypto, here, is not an investment thesis or a speculative bet; it is infrastructure. In that grey zone, informal infrastructure has thrived. Since international exchanges demand foreign bank cards or residency abroad, most users rely on OTC traders, individuals acting as human liquidity pools. In a legal grey zone, most users don’t buy crypto through formal exchanges. Many platforms require foreign bank cards, overseas residency, or compliance steps that are difficult to meet locally.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 12, 2026 19:22 UTC