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Middle East

Bahrain

One regulator, one rulebook: Bahrain licenses crypto firms in four tiers and, since June 2026, its first stablecoin issuer.

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Key Regulatory Progress

Every law, rule and official guide on crypto in Bahrain: 11 apply today, and the rest show what's coming and how regulators read the rules. Each is explained in plain words and linked to the official original.

Last checked against the originals on 5 Oct 2026.

All 16 documents

Core framework

The primary statutes that define crypto assets and who may deal in them.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CBB Rulebook Volume 6, Module CRA: Crypto-Asset

    The core crypto regime: licensing, conduct, custody, technology, AML and market abuse rules for crypto-asset services. First issued February 2019; the current version applies from 6 May 2026.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  2. GuidanceNot binding law

    Central Bank of Bahrain issues final rules on Crypto-asset services and Crypto-asset exchanges

    Announcement of the Crypto-Asset Module, covering licensing, governance, capital, risk management, AML/CFT, wallet security and trade transparency.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  3. GuidanceNot binding law

    FinTech & Innovation: Regulatory Sandbox

    The CBB's FinTech & Innovation Unit page, covering the regulatory sandbox for testing new financial products and the FinHub 973 digital lab.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

Exchanges & custody

Licensing, conduct and custody rules for trading platforms and service providers.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CBB Licensing Directory (CBB Register)

    Official register of licensees. On 5 October 2026 it listed one Category 2, five Category 3 and three Category 4 crypto-asset licensees, plus one stablecoin issuer.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  2. In forceApplies today

    CRA-3: Minimum Capital Requirement

    Sets paid-up capital by licence tier: BD 25,000 for Category 1, BD 100,000 for Category 2, BD 200,000 for Category 3 and BD 300,000 for Category 4 exchange operators.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  3. In forceApplies today

    CRA-8: Crypto-asset Custody Services

    Rules for safeguarding client crypto-assets, including segregation, wallet management and key controls for licensees that hold client assets.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

Stablecoins & payments

Issuance, reserve and redemption rules for fiat-referenced tokens and payment tokens.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CBB Rulebook Volume 6, Module SIO: Stablecoin Issuance & Offering

    Licensing regime for fiat-backed stablecoin issuers: BD 250,000 base capital, reserves of at least 100% of stablecoins in circulation with monthly independent audit reports, and redemption at par within five business days. First issued July 2025; the current version applies from 6 May 2026.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  2. In forceApplies today

    Stablecoin Issuance and Offering Module (July 2025, PDF)

    Full text of the SIO Module as first issued in July 2025. It allows yield-bearing approved stablecoins paid only from reserve income and requires reporting of stablecoin payments for goods and services in Bahrain.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  3. GuidanceNot binding law

    Central Bank of Bahrain Issues Framework for Regulating Stablecoin Issuance

    Announces the SIO Module, under which licensed issuers may issue single-currency stablecoins backed by BHD, USD or another fiat currency the CBB accepts.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  4. SupersededReplaced

    Circular OG/300/2024: Consultation on Proposed Stablecoin Issuance and Offering Module

    The consultation that preceded the final SIO Module, seeking industry comments on stablecoin licensing, reserves and redemption rules.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

Tokenisation & securities

Security tokens, RWA, funds and ETFs.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CRA-15: Digital Tokens

    Rules for issuing, offering and trading digital tokens, including issuer disclosures, digital token advisers and CBB-approved over-the-counter trading.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

AML & travel rule

Anti-money-laundering obligations and the FATF travel rule.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CRA-7: Anti-Money Laundering & Combating of Financial Crime

    Applies the CBB's AML/CFT rules to crypto-asset licensees; since January 2020 it states that simplified customer due diligence is not allowed.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

Tax

How gains, income and transactions are taxed.

  1. In forceApplies today

    Decree-Law No. (11) of 2024 on the Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax

    Imposes a 15% top-up tax on Bahraini entities of multinational groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million from 2025. Bahrain otherwise has no personal income tax and no crypto-specific tax rules.

    National Bureau for Revenue (NBR)

    Read the original

Investor protection

Market abuse, disclosure, advertising and retail safeguards.

  1. In forceApplies today

    CRA-12: Conduct of Business Obligations

    Conduct rules for licensees on conflicts of interest, sales processes and selling practices, and best execution of client orders.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original
  2. In forceApplies today

    CRA-13: Prevention of Market Abuse and Manipulation

    Prohibits market manipulation and insider dealing in crypto-assets and requires licensed exchanges to monitor trading for abuse.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

CBDC & tokenised money

Central-bank digital currency and tokenised deposit programmes.

  1. GuidanceNot binding law

    Central Bank of Bahrain, ALBA, Bank ABC and Onyx by J.P. Morgan complete test with blockchain based JPM Coin System

    Reports a CBB-backed pilot of real-time US dollar payments over J.P. Morgan's permissioned ledger, which the CBB said it would look to extend to CBDC work.

    Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB)

    Read the original

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