Saudi Arabia — crypto regulation

Status: restricted · Last reviewed 2026-11-05

There is no licensing regime for crypto trading or exchanges. In 2018 a standing committee chaired by the CMA, with SAMA as a member, warned that virtual currencies are not recognised as official currency and that no entity is licensed to offer crypto services. Domestic banks and payment providers do not support onshore crypto exchange or payments. Tokenised instruments with securities features fall under the Capital Market Law and regulatory sandboxes exist, but no retail crypto framework had been published as of 2026. State policy centres on tokenisation, part of the PIF's 2026-2030 strategy, and on wholesale CBDC work through Project mBridge, which SAMA joined in 2024.

Legislation

• Standing Committee statement — virtual currencies are not regulated in the Kingdom (2018)
• Capital Market Law (Royal Decree M/30) (2003)
• Project mBridge — SAMA participation in the multi-CBDC platform (2024)