Is crypto legal in Jordan? Rules & regulation (2026)

Legal framework

Law Regulating Dealings in Virtual Assets No. 14 of 2025 (Official Gazette No. 5996, 16 June 2025; effective 14 September 2025); VASP Licensing Regulation No. 94 of 2025; Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) as primary licensing authority

Status by sub-area

• Stablecoins

  Partial

  Stablecoins fall within the broad definition of virtual assets under Law No. 14/2025 and are subject to JSC licensing requirements, but their use as a payment instrument requires separate Central Bank of Jordan authorization. No dedicated stablecoin-specific rules on reserve backing, attestation, or redemption rights have been published as of May 2026.

  Still pending: Dedicated rules for stablecoin reserve backing, attestation, redemption rights pending

• Exchanges / VASP

  In force

  VASP Licensing Regulation No. 94/2025, published in the Official Gazette and effective 30 days after publication, mandates JSC licensing for all crypto exchange and brokerage operators in or targeting Jordan. Minimum capital is JOD 500,000 for trading brokers and JOD 1,500,000 for platform operators; unlicensed operation is a criminal offense.

• Token Offerings

  Partial

  Law No. 14/2025 requires a JSC license (JOD 500,000 minimum capital) for entities providing financial services for virtual asset offerings. Security tokens and tokenized securities remain governed by Jordan's Securities Law, with the JSC coordinating dual oversight; detailed ICO/STO prospectus and disclosure rules are still under development.

  Still pending: Detailed ICO/STO prospectus and disclosure rules still under development

• Custody

  In force

  VASP Licensing Regulation No. 94/2025 establishes a dedicated custodian license category requiring JOD 2,000,000 minimum paid-up capital — the highest across all VASP categories — with client asset segregation implied. Banks may not hold client crypto assets directly without explicit CBJ permission.

• DeFi

  Unclear

  Law No. 14/2025 and its implementing regulations do not address decentralized finance protocols, DAOs, or automated smart-contract services specifically. The law's extraterritorial scope — covering services targeting Jordanian customers — could implicate DeFi front-ends, but no enforcement guidance or DeFi-specific rules have been issued as of May 2026.

  Still pending: DeFi protocol-specific regulatory rules and enforcement guidance not yet issued

• Tax

  Partial

  Amendments to Jordan's Income Tax Law classify cryptocurrency as taxable property, with capital gains subject to progressive rates up to 25% and mining/staking treated as business income. Mandatory crypto reporting obligations through designated tax forms apply from January 2026, though detailed implementing guidance from Jordan's Income and Sales Tax Department specific to crypto remains limited.

  Still pending: Detailed tax implementation guidance from Income and Sales Tax Department for crypto

Key points: crypto & digital assets in Jordan

1. 01Law No. 14/2025 in Force

   Jordan's Parliament passed the Law Regulating Dealings in Virtual Assets (Law No. 14/2025), published in Official Gazette No. 5996 on 16 June 2025 and entering into force on 14 September 2025. It ended the previous Central Bank ban and created a mandatory JSC licensing and supervision regime.

   petra.gov.jo blogs.loc.gov

2. 02VASP Licensing Regulation No. 94/2025

   The JSC published Regulation No. 94/2025 in the Official Gazette (effective 30 days after publication), establishing four licensed activity categories: platform operator/manager (JOD 1,500,000 minimum capital), custodian (JOD 2,000,000), trading broker (JOD 500,000), and financial services provider for virtual asset offerings (JOD 500,000). Licenses are granted only to corporate entities.

   jsc.gov.jo jsc.gov.jo

3. 03JSC-CBJ Dual Oversight

   The JSC is the primary licensing and supervisory body for VASPs. The Central Bank of Jordan retains authority over digital payments, banking, and AML/CFT coordination; stablecoin use for payments requires separate CBJ authorization.

   jsc.gov.jo tamimi.com

4. 04AML/FATF Alignment and Criminal Penalties

   All licensed VASPs must comply with AML/CFT requirements aligned with FATF standards, including governance, cybersecurity, and consumer protection rules. Unlicensed virtual asset activity is a criminal offense carrying 1-3 years imprisonment and fines of JOD 50,000-100,000, plus compulsory closure and confiscation of equipment.

   alkhairattorneys.com jordannews.jo

5. 05Tax Integration

   Amendments to Jordan's Income Tax Law classify cryptocurrency as taxable property. Capital gains face progressive rates up to 25%; mining and staking are treated as business income; mandatory reporting obligations apply from January 2026.

   beaumont-capitalmarkets.co.uk taxsummaries.pwc.com

6. 06Regulatory Sandbox Envisioned

   The JSC may authorize experimental testing of new virtual asset products and services under direct supervisory oversight before full-scale licensing, providing a pathway for innovative products including potential DeFi applications.

   alkhairattorneys.com karajahlaw.com

Sources

1. 1.jsc.gov.jo/News/en/12582
2. 2.jsc.gov.jo/Uploads/Files/The%20Virtual%20Asset%20Service%20Providers%20Licensing
3. 3.petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=72581&lang=en&name=en_news
4. 4.blogs.loc.gov/law/2026/03/recent-legal-developments-in-cryptocurrency-and-virtual-a
5. 5.tamimi.com/our-knowledge/publications/eyes-on-2026/articles/cryptocurrency-comes
6. 6.jordannews.jo/Section-113/All/Jordan-Introduces-2025-Licensing-and-Regulatory-Frame
7. 7.alkhairattorneys.com/the-regulating-dealings-in-virtual-assets-no-14-of-2025-jordans-leap-
8. 8.karajahlaw.com/news-blogs/jordan%E2%80%99s-2025-virtual-asset-law-aligning-uae%E2%80
9. 9.beaumont-capitalmarkets.co.uk/jordan-crypto-tax-guide-2026-essential-compliance-strategies/
10. 10.taxsummaries.pwc.com/jordan/individual/income-determination