Zimbabwe's central bank governor has warned banks against providing services to cryptocurrency traders.

John Mangudya, said in a statement "virtual currencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin do not have legal tender status".

He said virtual currencies are preferred by money launders and criminals.

Bitcoin has sparked interest in Zimbabwe as the Zimbabwean dollar was abandoned in 2009 due to hyperinflation and the banking system relies on scarce US dollar banknotes.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been battling to revive the ailing economy after long-time ruler Robert Mugabe was ousted last November.

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