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Is crypto legal in Bahrain?

Cryptocurrency is legal in Bahrain, but subject to regulatory restrictions.

Western Asia · BH · 3 of 9 dimensions sourced

Every value below cites the primary government, central bank, financial regulator, or tax authority. How this is sourced →

Bahrain crypto policy at a glance

CBDC status
Research

Stage of the central bank digital currency programme — research, pilot, or launched.

cbdctracker.org ↗ · as of 2018 · confidence: high
Legal status
Legal, with restrictions

Whether crypto is legal, restricted, or banned for individuals and businesses.

“The CBB has issued the Crypto-Asset Module which provides a regulatory framework for the licensing and supervision of crypto-asset services. Crypto-assets are not legal tender, but regulated activities may be carried out by licensed providers.”
Central Bank of Bahrain ↗ · as of 2019-02-25 · confidence: high
VASP licensing
Regime in force

Whether the jurisdiction licenses crypto/VASP service providers.

“The Central Bank of Bahrain has introduced a Crypto-Asset Services License for firms wishing to provide crypto-asset services in or from Bahrain.”
Central Bank of Bahrain ↗ · as of 2026-05-30 · confidence: high
Stablecoin rules
Not yet recorded

Rules governing stablecoin and e-money-token issuance.

Tax treatment
Not yet recorded

How crypto gains are taxed and reported, including OECD CARF participation.

DeFi treatment
Not yet recorded

How decentralized finance (DeFi) is treated by regulators.

NFT classification
Not yet recorded

Whether NFTs are addressed in regulation.

Mining policy
Not yet recorded

Policy toward crypto mining — permitted, restricted, or banned.

Enforcement intensity
Not yet recorded

Intensity of regulatory enforcement actions against crypto firms.

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