Bahrain's crypto-asset regulatory framework under the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) — the first GCC jurisdiction to issue comprehensive crypto-asset licensing rules covering exchanges, custodians, and portfolio managers.
Ask GCC LexAI about Virtual Assets →Yes. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) issued the Crypto-Asset Module in 2019, making Bahrain the first GCC country to establish a comprehensive licensing framework for crypto-asset services, including exchanges, custodians, and portfolio managers.
The CBB's Crypto-Asset Module defines three service categories: Class 4 (crypto-asset exchange), Class 5 (crypto-asset custody), and Class 6 (crypto-asset portfolio management). Each requires separate authorisation and capital requirements.
CBB-licensed crypto firms must comply with AML/CFT requirements, maintain minimum capital, implement robust cybersecurity controls, conduct customer due diligence, and submit regular reports to the CBB. Foreign-owned exchanges may also be eligible for the regulatory sandbox.