The Bank of Ghana has admitted the Stellar-based Akuna Wallet into its Virtual Assets Regulatory Sandbox, marking a significant step in testing cross-border payment solutions for the continent's creator economy. The platform, built on the Stellar network through a partnership between the Akuna Group (co-founded by actor Idris Elba) and the Stellar Development Foundation, aims to address the high cost of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa, where cross-border transfers average 8.8%—far above the UN's Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%.
Denelle Dixon, Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, stated, "The payments system hasn't kept pace with African creators. Akuna Wallet is." The sandbox, established under Ghana's Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act 1154), provides a controlled environment for firms to test products and compliance under regulatory oversight. Akuna Wallet's participation is intended to help creators, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs receive global income with greater efficiency and confidence.
In a parallel development, the Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has admitted WhiteBIT, Europe's largest crypto exchange by traffic, into its own regulatory sandbox program. WhiteBIT is among 11 selected companies, including Africoin and Goldbod, that will test digital asset services for up to 12 months. Firms that meet regulatory standards may transition to a full operating license after six months.
Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group (WhiteBIT's parent company), emphasized the exchange's commitment to "secure, compliant, and accessible crypto services" and confidence in Africa's digital finance potential. The sandbox initiative is a response to rapid crypto adoption in Ghana, where an estimated 3 million adults (about 17% of the population) are involved in digital asset activity. Insights from the program will shape the country's future regulatory framework for virtual asset service providers.
