The legal status of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies varies widely across the Arab world, ranging from full acceptance to complete bans. Below is a breakdown of Bitcoin’s legality in key Arab nations.
1. Bitcoin-Friendly Arab Countries
These countries allow Bitcoin trading and have regulatory frameworks in place.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Status: Legal, regulated
Dubai & Abu Dhabi have crypto-friendly policies.
The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) oversees crypto businesses.
Major exchanges like Binance and Kraken operate in UAE.
🇧🇭 Bahrain
Status: Legal, regulated
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) licenses crypto exchanges.
CoinMENA (a licensed exchange) operates here.
🇶🇦 Qatar
Status: Legal (but restrictions apply)
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) allows licensed crypto firms.
Ban on Bitcoin trading by retail investors (since 2019).
2. Bitcoin-Tolerant (Unofficial or Restricted Use)
These countries have no clear ban but impose restrictions.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Status: Not officially recognized
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) warns against crypto trading.
No explicit ban, but banks block crypto transactions.
🇰🇼 Kuwait
Status: Restricted
The Central Bank of Kuwait bans banks from dealing with crypto.
No ban on peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.
🇴🇲 Oman
Status: Unregulated but not banned
The Central Bank of Oman is studying regulations.
Crypto exchanges are not yet licensed.
🇯🇴 Jordan
Status: Restricted
The Central Bank of Jordan bans banks from crypto dealings.
P2P trading remains legal.
3. Bitcoin-Banned Arab Countries
These countries have outright prohibitions on Bitcoin.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Status: Banned (with religious opposition)
The Central Bank of Egypt prohibits crypto trading.
Dar al-Ifta (Islamic authority) declared Bitcoin "haram."
🇲🇦 Morocco
Status: Illegal
The Office des Changes banned all crypto transactions in 2017.
Heavy fines for trading Bitcoin.
🇩🇿 Algeria
Status: Illegal
The Finance Law of 2018 bans all cryptocurrencies.
🇮🇶 Iraq
Status: Banned
The Central Bank of Iraq prohibits crypto use.
P2P trading still occurs underground.
🇹🇳 Tunisia
Status: Illegal
The Central Bank of Tunisia bans crypto transactions.
4. Countries with Upcoming Regulations
Some Arab nations are exploring crypto frameworks.
🇱🇧 Lebanon
Status: Unregulated (but facing economic crisis)
The Banque du Liban warns against crypto but doesn’t ban it.
P2P Bitcoin trading is rising due to hyperinflation.
🇲🇷 Mauritania
Status: No clear laws
The Central Bank of Mauritania warns against crypto risks.