Purchase Celsius (CEL) with Morocco Dirham (MAD) easily at Switchere and benefit from fast, secure transactions.
Celsius Network, with its native CEL token, emerged as a major centralized finance (CeFi) platform designed to bridge the gap between traditional banking and the world of digital assets. Its primary function was to offer users the ability to earn yield on their cryptocurrency holdings and to take out crypto-collateralized loans. The platform operated on a custodial basis, managing user funds to generate interest income through lending activities to institutional borrowers. This model positioned it as a user-friendly alternative for crypto holders seeking to put their assets to work without navigating complex DeFi protocols.
The CEL token was the core of its loyalty and rewards system. As a utility token, holding and using CEL provided tangible benefits within the Celsius ecosystem, such as preferential interest rates for both earning and borrowing. Users could receive higher yields on their deposited assets and lower rates on loans, with rewards often distributed weekly in the form of CEL. This tokenomics structure was designed to incentivize user loyalty and drive demand for the native asset. However, the platform faced significant operational challenges and market pressures, which ultimately led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, profoundly impacting its users and reshaping the narrative around risk in the CeFi lending industry.
The MAD/CEL pair represents the exchange rate between the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) and the Celsius (CEL) token. CEL is the native utility token of the former Celsius Network, a crypto lending platform. Trading this pair involves using MAD, Morocco's fiat currency, to purchase CEL, a digital asset with a history tied to earning interest and crypto-backed loans. Due to the Celsius Network's bankruptcy, CEL is now considered a highly speculative asset.
A direct MAD/CEL fiat on-ramp is extremely rare. The standard process involves two steps: First, use a cryptocurrency exchange that accepts Moroccan Dirham to buy a major cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC) or a stablecoin like USDT, often via bank transfer or a local payment method. Second, transfer that digital asset to an exchange where CEL is still listed for trading and execute a trade from BTC or USDT to CEL. Always check the liquidity on the order book before trading.
Given the history of the associated platform, self-custody is paramount. After acquiring CEL on an exchange, it's highly recommended to withdraw them to a non-custodial digital wallet where you control the private keys. For significant holdings, a hardware wallet provides the best security against online threats. Avoid leaving CEL on any centralized platform long-term, and be wary of phishing scams promising CEL recovery or airdrops.
The CEL token was integral to the Celsius Network's loyalty program. Its primary utilities were to allow users to earn higher interest rates on deposited digital assets, get discounts on loan interest payments, and make peer-to-peer payments via a feature called CelPay. Holding CEL provided tiered benefits, incentivizing users to accumulate and hold the token to maximize their returns within the platform's ecosystem.
The primary risk is extreme volatility due to the Celsius Network's bankruptcy proceedings. The token's value is highly speculative and subject to sudden price swings based on legal news. Additional risks include low liquidity on remaining cryptocurrency exchanges, which can lead to slippage, and the potential for exchanges to delist the token entirely with little notice. All trading in CEL should be considered high-risk.
Yes, Morocco has a strict regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies. The Moroccan authorities have previously issued warnings against their use. While peer-to-peer trading exists, using formal financial channels like bank transfers for a fiat on-ramp might be subject to scrutiny. Users must perform their own due diligence regarding local laws and ensure any platform used complies with KYC/AML regulations to mitigate risks.