SEC to finalise sandbox framework for virtual asset service providers

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says it is finalising its regulatory sandbox framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers.

The sandbox will provide a controlled environment under SEC’s regulatory oversight to test innovative virtual asset products and services.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Commission to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

The statement said that upon completion of the framework, SEC would open an application process for categories of virtual asset services under the Act to be licensed.

The categories include Virtual Asset Exchanges and Trading Platforms, Virtual Asset Issuance, Virtual Asset Tokenisation, and Virtual Asset Exchange-Traded Funds.

Others are Virtual Asset Managers, Virtual Asset Brokerage and Investment Advisory, and Virtual Asset Mining and Validation (On Securities).

The statement said the sandbox platform would support responsible innovation while strengthening investor protection, market integrity, and compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.

It added that lessons learned from the pilot phase would inform SEC’s future policy development and licensing frameworks for virtual assets.

SEC is mandated under the Securities Industries Act, 2016 (Act 929) to regulate Ghana’s capital market.

The Commission is also mandated under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154) to serve as a co-regulator of virtual asset services in Ghana, providing dedicated oversight under the Act.

DVLA set to go global with licensing services in USA, Germany, other countries

DVLA boss hits back at VEMAG over cancellation of alleged contract