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Oman

Registered, not licensed: Oman has made crypto firms register for AML since 2023, but its full licensing regime is still pending.

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0Licensed crypto exchanges or custodians onshore
1Virtual asset service provider registered for AML, per the FATF evaluation
3 monthsDeadline for existing VASPs to register with the regulator under Decision 35/2023

Oman met crypto first as a consumer risk.

In July and October 2020 the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) issued public notices warning about the financial, legal and security risks of cryptocurrencies, and in December 2020 it told banks, exchange houses and payment firms to identify customers dealing in virtual assets and apply enhanced due diligence where the risk was higher.

The CBO has not licensed any crypto business.

Read the full story

The turning point came from the securities regulator.

In February 2023 the Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced plans for a full virtual asset regime covering crypto assets, tokens, exchanges and initial coin offerings, and hired the consultancy XReg and the Omani law firm SASLO to draft it.

In June 2023 it issued Decision No. 35/2023, which made registration with the CMA and compliance with AML/CFT rules a condition for any virtual asset business in Oman, and in July 2023 it put the draft framework out for public consultation.

Since then the institutions have changed faster than the rules.

In March 2024 the CMA was replaced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which took over its powers.

As of October 2026 the FSA has not issued the licensing regulation promised in 2023, and a 2024 FATF review found only one registered virtual asset firm; its big rulebook of 2026 was the Securities Law Executive Regulation, which took effect in July.

The CBO repeated its warning in April 2026 that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Oman.

For builders, Oman is an early-stage market.

A firm serving Omani customers must register with the FSA and run a full AML programme, but there is no licence that allows a regulated exchange, custody or stablecoin business onshore.

Tax is also changing: a 5% personal income tax on income above OMR 42,000 begins in 2028, the first in the Gulf.

Who regulates

  • FSAFinancial Services Authority (formerly the Capital Market Authority)

    In charge of

    Oman's non-bank financial regulator, which replaced the Capital Market Authority in March 2024. It supervises the securities market, listed companies, brokers and the insurance sector.

    On crypto

    Decision No. 35/2023 requires anyone offering virtual asset services in or to Oman to register and run AML/CFT controls. A full licensing framework went to consultation in July 2023, but as of October 2026 no licence for exchanges, custody or stablecoins exists.

    FSA website
  • CBOCentral Bank of Oman

    In charge of

    Oman's central bank: it sets monetary policy, issues the rial, and licenses and supervises banks, exchange houses and payment service providers.

    On crypto

    Warned the public about crypto risks in July and October 2020 and again in April 2026, stressing that crypto is not legal tender. Since December 2020 banks and payment firms must apply enhanced due diligence to crypto customers. It has licensed no crypto business.

    CBO website
  • OTAOman Tax Authority

    In charge of

    Oman's tax authority: it administers corporate income tax, VAT and excise, and will run the personal income tax that starts on 1 January 2028.

    On crypto

    Has issued no crypto-specific tax guidance. From 2028 individuals pay 5% on income above OMR 42,000 under Royal Decree No. 56/2025; whether and how crypto gains are caught awaits the executive regulations.

    OTA website

What to watch

  • Issuance of the FSA's virtual asset regulation and licensing framework, first consulted on in July 2023.
  • Whether the FSA publishes a register of virtual asset service providers registered under Decision No. 35/2023.
  • Executive regulations for the Personal Income Tax Law and whether they address gains from virtual assets before tax starts in 2028.
  • Any tokenisation or DLT pilots through the CBO Fintech Regulatory Sandbox, which runs a DLT and blockchain cohort.

Quick answers

Who regulates crypto in Oman?

Three authorities shape crypto rules in Oman. FSA (Financial Services Authority (formerly the Capital Market Authority)): regulates capital markets and insurance; registers virtual asset service providers for AML and is drafting the virtual asset licensing framework. CBO (Central Bank of Oman): regulates banks, exchange houses and payment firms; issues crypto warnings and runs the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox. OTA (Oman Tax Authority): administers corporate tax, VAT and the Personal Income Tax Law that takes effect in 2028.

Do crypto exchanges need a licence in Oman?

Not fully yet: the regime is being built. VASPs must register with the FSA for AML since 2023; the full licensing regime is still pending. The licence is Virtual asset service provider registration (AML/CFT) from FSA, held by 1 as of Dec 2024. Four Pillars rates exchange licensing in Oman as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

Are stablecoins regulated in Oman?

Not fully yet: the regime is being built. No stablecoin rules; the pending FSA virtual asset framework is the only planned route. Four Pillars rates its stablecoin regime in Oman as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

How is crypto taxed in Oman?

No crypto tax rules; a 5% personal income tax on income above OMR 42,000 starts in 2028. Four Pillars rates tax clarity in Oman as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

Can real-world assets be tokenised in Oman?

Not fully yet: the regime is being built. The planned VA framework covers tokens and ICOs; the CBO sandbox has a DLT and blockchain cohort. Four Pillars rates tokenisation and real-world assets in Oman as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026).

What changed most recently in Oman's crypto rules?

27 Jul 2026: Securities Law Executive Regulation takes effect. The FSA's new capital markets rulebook was published; the separate virtual asset regulation has not yet been issued. Apr 2026: CBO renews its crypto warning. It reminded the public that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Oman.

What should companies watch next in Oman?

Issuance of the FSA's virtual asset regulation and licensing framework, first consulted on in July 2023. Whether the FSA publishes a register of virtual asset service providers registered under Decision No. 35/2023. Executive regulations for the Personal Income Tax Law and whether they address gains from virtual assets before tax starts in 2028.

Timeline

  1. Securities Law Executive Regulation takes effect

    The FSA's new capital markets rulebook was published; the separate virtual asset regulation has not yet been issued.

  2. CBO renews its crypto warning

    It reminded the public that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Oman.

  3. Personal Income Tax Law issued

    Royal Decree No. 56/2025 introduces a 5% tax on individual income above OMR 42,000 from 2028, a first in the Gulf.

  4. FATF publishes Oman's mutual evaluation

    Oman was rated largely compliant on the virtual asset standard (R.15), with a single registered VASP.

  5. Financial Services Authority replaces the CMA

    Royal Decree No. 20/2024 transferred the CMA's powers, including virtual asset registration, to the new FSA.

  6. Draft framework released for consultation

    The CMA sought comments on its proposed virtual asset regime until 17 August 2023.

  7. VASP registration becomes mandatory

    Decision No. 35/2023 requires registration with the regulator and AML/CFT compliance before any virtual asset activity in Oman.

  8. CMA announces a virtual asset regulatory framework

    It planned licensing for all VASP categories and appointed XReg Consulting and SASLO to help draft it.

  9. CBO tells banks to screen customers' crypto exposure

    Banks, exchange houses and payment firms were told to apply enhanced due diligence to higher-risk virtual asset customers.

  10. CBO repeats its cautionary notice on cryptocurrencies

    The CBO again cautioned the public about the risks of using and trading cryptocurrencies.

  11. CBO issues its first crypto warning

    The public notice cautioned users, holders and traders about the risks of cryptocurrencies.

Cite this page: Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center, “Oman crypto regulation”, reviewed 5 Oct 2026, https://policy.4pillars.io/oman. Free to reuse with attribution; also as markdown and JSON.

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