# Jordan crypto regulation

From the Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center. Cite as: Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center, "Jordan crypto regulation", reviewed 2026-10-05, https://policy.4pillars.io/jordan. Free to reuse with attribution: cite "Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center" and link to the page the fact comes from (each market has its own URL), and to the primary source where one is given. Terms: https://policy.4pillars.io/developers#attribution


Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/jordan
Region: Middle East. Last reviewed: 2026-10-05.

> From a central bank ban to a licensing law: Jordan's 2025 virtual assets law puts crypto under the JSC, but no licences are out yet.

For a decade Jordan's answer to crypto was no. The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) warned in 2014 that Bitcoin was not legal tender, and in 2018 it told banks, exchange houses, finance companies and payment firms not to deal in virtual currencies at all. Jordanians who wanted crypto used offshore exchanges and peer-to-peer trades, outside any local oversight.

The rethink started with money laundering risk. A February 2023 national assessment, led by the CBJ with the financial intelligence unit and law enforcement, rated the residual ML/TF risk of unregulated virtual asset exchanges as high because controls were largely ineffective. Parliament answered with Law No. 14 of 2025 Regulating Dealing in Virtual Assets, published on 16 June 2025 and in force on 14 September 2025, which made the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) the licensing authority.

The rulebook followed in stages. After two public consultations, Regulation No. 94 of 2025 on licensing virtual asset service providers was published on 16 December 2025 and took effect on 15 January 2026. The JSC then consulted on 127 articles of executive instructions covering platforms, custodians, brokers, offerings, investor protection and cybersecurity, and opened preliminary approval applications. That consultation closed on 28 January 2026, but final instructions and any licensed provider had not been announced by early October 2026.

For builders, Jordan is now a legal market with a high entry price. Only a company whose sole purpose is virtual asset business can apply, with paid-up capital of at least JOD 3 million for a platform, JOD 2 million for custody, JOD 1 million for brokerage and JOD 500,000 for offering services, and licence fees of up to JOD 100,000. Anyone operating without a licence faces at least a year in prison and a fine of JOD 50,000 to 100,000. Banks need separate CBJ approval, and crypto payments stay off-limits unless the CBJ authorises them.

### Snapshot

- Exchange licensing: Developing. Law No. 14 and Regulation No. 94 in force; JSC instructions not yet final and no licences announced
- Stablecoin regime: Restricted. No stablecoin regime; using virtual assets for payments requires CBJ authorisation under Law No. 14
- Tokenisation & RWA: Developing. Law covers virtual asset offerings via licensed offer providers; detailed rules are still draft
- Retail access: Developing. Law allows trading through JSC licensees, but no licensed onshore platform was operating by Oct 2026
- Tax clarity: Developing. No crypto-specific tax rules or guidance yet from Jordan's Income and Sales Tax Department

### Quick answers

**Is crypto legal in Jordan?**

Partly. The rules for individual investors are still being put in place. Law allows trading through JSC licensees, but no licensed onshore platform was operating by Oct 2026. Four Pillars rates retail access in Jordan as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

**Who regulates crypto in Jordan?**

Three authorities shape crypto rules in Jordan. JSC (Jordan Securities Commission): licenses and supervises virtual asset service providers under Law No. 14 of 2025 and issues the implementing instructions. CBJ (Central Bank of Jordan): approves any virtual asset activity by banks and other CBJ-regulated institutions and decides whether crypto may be used for payments. AMLU (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Unit): jordan's financial intelligence unit, which receives suspicious transaction reports from virtual asset service providers as reporting entities.

**Do crypto exchanges need a licence in Jordan?**

Not fully yet: the regime is being built. Law No. 14 and Regulation No. 94 in force; JSC instructions not yet final and no licences announced. The main licences are Virtual asset service provider (VASP) licence from JSC; and CBJ prior approval for banks' virtual asset activities from CBJ. Four Pillars rates exchange licensing in Jordan as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

**Are stablecoins regulated in Jordan?**

Only in narrow cases. No stablecoin regime; using virtual assets for payments requires CBJ authorisation under Law No. 14. Four Pillars rates its stablecoin regime in Jordan as restricted (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

**How is crypto taxed in Jordan?**

No crypto-specific tax rules or guidance yet from Jordan's Income and Sales Tax Department. Four Pillars rates tax clarity in Jordan as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

**Can real-world assets be tokenised in Jordan?**

Not fully yet: the regime is being built. Law covers virtual asset offerings via licensed offer providers; detailed rules are still draft. Four Pillars rates tokenisation and real-world assets in Jordan as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

**What changed most recently in Jordan's crypto rules?**

15 Jan 2026: JSC consults on executive instructions. The 127-article draft covers platforms, custodians, brokers, offer providers, investor protection and cybersecurity. 16 Dec 2025: Regulation No. 94 of 2025 published. The VASP licensing regulation appeared in the Official Gazette and took effect 30 days later, setting capital of JOD 500,000 to JOD 3 million per activity.

**What should companies watch next in Jordan?**

Final JSC executive instructions for virtual asset activities, consulted on in January 2026, and the first preliminary approvals and licences. Which virtual assets the JSC allows to trade, after it said trading would not be opened on every asset. Whether the CBJ uses its power under Law No. 14 to approve banks for crypto exchange and custody, or to authorise any crypto payments.

### Key numbers

- JOD 3m Minimum paid-up capital for a virtual asset platform (Regulation No. 94 of 2025) (as of 2025-12-16)
- JOD 100,000 Maximum fine for unlicensed virtual asset activity, plus at least one year in prison (as of 2025-09-14)
- 127 Articles in the JSC's draft executive instructions for virtual asset activities (as of 2026-01-15)

### What to watch

- Final JSC executive instructions for virtual asset activities, consulted on in January 2026, and the first preliminary approvals and licences.
- Which virtual assets the JSC allows to trade, after it said trading would not be opened on every asset.
- Whether the CBJ uses its power under Law No. 14 to approve banks for crypto exchange and custody, or to authorise any crypto payments.
- Tax guidance on crypto gains, which Jordan's tax authority has not yet issued.

### Regulators

- **JSC**, Jordan Securities Commission: Licenses and supervises virtual asset service providers under Law No. 14 of 2025 and issues the implementing instructions. Jordan's capital markets regulator: it oversees securities issuance, the stock exchange, brokers, investment funds and disclosure by listed companies. The licensing authority under Law No. 14 of 2025. Regulation No. 94 of 2025, in force since 15 January 2026, admits only sole-purpose companies, with capital of JOD 3 million for a platform down to JOD 500,000 for offerings. No licence had been announced by early October 2026. <https://www.jsc.gov.jo/>
- **CBJ**, Central Bank of Jordan: Approves any virtual asset activity by banks and other CBJ-regulated institutions and decides whether crypto may be used for payments. Jordan's central bank: it sets monetary policy, manages the dinar, and licenses and supervises banks, exchange houses, finance companies and payment firms. Warned in 2014 that Bitcoin was not legal tender and in 2018 barred banks, exchange houses and payment firms from dealing in virtual currencies. Under Law No. 14 of 2025 banks need its prior approval for crypto exchange or custody, and crypto payments need its authorisation. <https://www.cbj.gov.jo/>
- **AMLU**, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Unit: Jordan's financial intelligence unit, which receives suspicious transaction reports from virtual asset service providers as reporting entities. Jordan's financial intelligence unit: it receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports from banks and other reporting entities and refers suspected money laundering and terror financing. Took part in the February 2023 national risk assessment that rated the residual money laundering risk of virtual asset exchanges as high. Virtual asset service providers are now reporting entities that must file suspicious transaction reports with it. <https://amlu.gov.jo/>

### Licences

#### Virtual asset service provider (VASP) licence

- Regulator: JSC
- Legal basis: Law No. 14 of 2025 Regulating Dealing in Virtual Assets; Regulation No. 94 of 2025
- Covers: Operating and managing a virtual asset platform, custody, brokerage in virtual asset trading, and services linked to virtual asset offerings, for or on behalf of others in Jordan.
- Requirements: Preliminary JSC approval before company registration, then a final licence application; Public or private shareholding company, limited liability company or branch of a licensed foreign company, whose sole purpose is virtual asset activities; Paid-up capital per activity of JOD 3m (platform), 2m (custody), 1m (brokerage) or 0.5m (offerings), cumulative for several activities, plus licence fees of JOD 30,000 to 100,000; Governance, risk management, cybersecurity and complaint-handling arrangements under JSC instructions; AML/CFT duties as a reporting entity, including due diligence, record-keeping and suspicious transaction reports
- Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/jordan/licences#lic-1

#### CBJ prior approval for banks' virtual asset activities

- Regulator: CBJ
- Legal basis: Law No. 14 of 2025, Article 11
- Covers: Lets banks and other CBJ-regulated financial institutions exchange virtual assets for fiat currency or offer custody, only after prior CBJ approval.
- Requirements: Institution must already be licensed and supervised by the CBJ; Prior written CBJ approval for each permitted activity; Activities limited to fiat exchange and custody of virtual assets
- Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/jordan/licences#lic-2

### Timeline

- 2014: Central Bank warns against Bitcoin. The CBJ said virtual currencies were not legal tender and warned of fraud, hacking and price swings.
- 2018: Central Bank bars financial firms from crypto. A CBJ circular told banks, exchange houses, finance companies and payment firms not to deal in virtual currencies.
- 2023-02: National risk assessment rates crypto ML/TF risk as high. A CBJ-led team found residual money laundering risk from virtual asset exchanges was high because controls were ineffective.
- 2025-06-16: Law No. 14 of 2025 published. The Law Regulating Dealing in Virtual Assets appeared in Official Gazette issue 5996.
- 2025-08-06: JSC consults on a draft licensing regulation. The draft VASP licensing regulation was posted on the government's Tawasal consultation portal until 19 August.
- 2025-09-14: Virtual assets law takes effect. Virtual asset activities in or from Jordan now require a JSC licence, with criminal penalties for unlicensed firms.
- 2025-10-22: Revised licensing regulation published for comment. The Legislation and Opinion Bureau's draft set capital and licence fees for each activity.
- 2025-12-16: Regulation No. 94 of 2025 published. The VASP licensing regulation appeared in the Official Gazette and took effect 30 days later, setting capital of JOD 500,000 to JOD 3 million per activity.
- 2026-01-15: JSC consults on executive instructions. The 127-article draft covers platforms, custodians, brokers, offer providers, investor protection and cybersecurity.

### Primary sources

- [Draft Executive Instructions for Virtual Asset Activities for 2026](https://www.tawasal.gov.jo/Consultations/Public/1377/%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B0%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9_2026.). Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), via the Tawasal government consultation portal, 2026-01-15, consultation. 127 draft articles on platform operators, custodians, brokers and offer providers, client dealings and investor protection, marketing, outsourcing, financial guarantees, audits and cybersecurity. Comment closed on 28 January 2026; the final instructions had not been published by 5 October 2026.
- [Jordan Securities Commission Publishes Draft Project of Executive Instructions for Virtual Assets Activities for the Year 2026](https://www.jsc.gov.jo/News/en/12558). Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), 2026-01-15, guidance. JSC announcement, on the day Regulation No. 94 took effect, of the draft executive instructions and of its online form for preliminary approval to carry on virtual asset activities.
- [The Virtual Asset Service Providers Licensing Regulation for the year 2025 (Regulation No. 94 of 2025)](https://www.jsc.gov.jo/Uploads/Files/The%20Virtual%20Asset%20Service%20Providers%20Licensing%20Regulation%20for%20the%20year%202025-.pdf). Council of Ministers / Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), 2025-12-16, in force. Issued under Article 7 of Law No. 14: two-step licensing (preliminary approval, then licence) for sole-purpose shareholding or limited liability companies or licensed foreign branches, with paid-up capital of JOD 3m (platform), 2m (custody), 1m (brokerage) and 0.5m (offerings). Published 16 December 2025, in force 30 days later (JSC English translation; Arabic text prevails).
- [Official Gazette Publishes Regulation of Licensing Virtual Assets Services Providers and Instructions of Capital Adequacy](https://www.jsc.gov.jo/News/en/12582). Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), 2025-12-16, in force. JSC announcement that Regulation No. 94 of 2025 was gazetted, in force 30 days later, alongside new Financial Solvency and Capital Adequacy Instructions for financial services companies that apply from 12 September 2026.
- [Draft Regulation on Licensing Virtual Asset Service Providers for 2025 (revised draft)](https://tawasal.gov.jo/Consultations/redirect/1318). Legislation and Opinion Bureau, via the Tawasal government consultation portal, 2025-10-22, superseded. Revised draft setting minimum paid-up capital per activity (JOD 4 million for platforms, 2 million for custody, 1.5 million for brokerage, 1 million for offerings) and licence fees. Open for comment until 5 November 2025; the final Regulation No. 94 lowered the platform, brokerage and offering figures.
- [Law Regulating Dealing in Virtual Assets (JSC text)](https://www.jsc.gov.jo/page/ar/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9). Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), 2025-09-14, in force. The regulator's page for Law No. 14, which bans unlicensed virtual asset activity (Article 15: at least one year in prison and a JOD 50,000 to 100,000 fine) and requires prior CBJ approval for banks (Article 11).
- [Draft Regulation on Licensing Virtual Asset Service Providers (JSC consultation)](https://www.tawasal.gov.jo/Consultations/redirect/1283). Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), via the Tawasal government consultation portal, 2025-08-06, superseded. The JSC's first public draft of the VASP licensing regulation, open for comment from 6 to 19 August 2025. Replaced by Regulation No. 94 of 2025.
- [Official Gazette Issue No. 5996, including Law No. (14) of 2025 Regulating Dealing in Virtual Assets](https://www.pm.gov.jo/Ar/Pages/NewsPaperDetails/5996). Prime Ministry of Jordan (Official Gazette), 2025-06-16, in force. The gazette issue that enacted Jordan's virtual assets law, which requires a JSC licence for platforms, exchange, transfer, custody, brokerage and offerings. Published 16 June 2025, in force 14 September 2025 (the site uses a bot check; content confirmed via an archived copy).
- [Summary of the ML/TF Risk Assessment of Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers](https://www.cbj.gov.jo/ebv4.0/root_storage/ar/eb_list_page/1a8a739f-43a7-4984-86c7-1ccd83add020.pdf). Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and national assessment team, 2023-02, guidance. Jordan's FATF Recommendation 15 risk assessment, which found virtual asset exchange services carried high inherent and residual ML/TF risk because controls were largely ineffective.