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

Legal framework

Financial Services Authority (FSA) Decision No. E/35/2023, Instructions on VASP Registration and AML/CFT Compliance; proposed comprehensive Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework (consultation stage, not yet enacted)

Status by sub-area

• Stablecoins

  Proposed

  Stablecoins backed by currencies or assets are explicitly categorised as virtual assets within the FSA's proposed Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework and earmarked for a dedicated licensing regime. No in-force rules on reserve backing, attestation, redemption rights, or issuer capital requirements exist as of 2026.

  Still pending: Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework with rules on reserve backing, attestation, issuer capital pending

• Exchanges / VASP

  Partial

  Crypto-fiat and crypto-crypto exchange services are registrable VASP activities under in-force FSA Decision E/35/2023, carrying AML/CFT obligations and a privacy-coin prohibition. A full licensing regime with minimum capital, conduct-of-business, and market-integrity requirements remains pending under the proposed framework.

  Still pending: Full licensing regime with minimum capital and conduct-of-business rules for exchanges pending

• Token Offerings

  Proposed

  Initial coin offerings and token sales are referenced in the FSA's proposed Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework as activities requiring a licence and subject to a market-abuse surveillance regime. No in-force prospectus, disclosure, securities-law classification, or investor-exemption rules apply to token offerings as of 2026.

  Still pending: Prospectus, disclosure, and investor-exemption rules for token offerings pending

• Custody

  Partial

  Safekeeping and administration of virtual assets on behalf of clients is a registrable activity under FSA Decision E/35/2023, requiring AML/CFT compliance. No in-force rules on asset segregation, proof of reserves, insurance, or a qualified-custodian standard exist; these are expected under the full framework.

  Still pending: Rules on asset segregation, proof of reserves, insurance, qualified-custodian standards pending

• DeFi

  None

  Neither the in-force VASP registration framework nor the proposed Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework addresses decentralised finance protocols, front-ends, or DAOs. No guidance, enforcement actions, or legislative proposals specifically targeting DeFi have been identified in Oman as of 2026.

  Still pending: No regulatory framework or guidance; DeFi entirely unaddressed

• Tax

  Partial

  Oman does not levy personal income tax, so crypto gains realised by individuals are not subject to direct taxation. Corporate entities pay a 15% corporate income tax on net profit inclusive of capital gains from virtual assets under IFRS. No dedicated crypto-specific reporting regime, staking/airdrop guidance, or VAT treatment for virtual assets has been established.

  Still pending: Crypto-specific reporting regime, staking/airdrop guidance, VAT treatment pending

Key points: crypto & digital assets in Oman

1. 01Mandatory VASP Registration (In Force)

   FSA Decision E/35/2023 requires all legal or natural persons offering or conducting virtual-asset services in Oman, including exchange, transfer, and safekeeping, to register with the FSA and implement AML/CFT controls. The FSA issues an approved certificate and maintains a public register; the application window is one month.

   fsa.gov.om fsa.gov.om

2. 02Comprehensive VA Framework (Proposed, Not Yet Law)

   The FSA published a proposed Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework for consultation, intended to introduce full licensing tiers, market-abuse surveillance, rules for stablecoins, ICOs/token offerings, and an ongoing supervisory regime. As of early 2026 this had not been enacted as binding legislation.

   fsa.gov.om research.hktdc.com

3. 03Central Bank of Oman Position

   The CBO does not recognise cryptocurrencies as legal tender, has not issued any licences to digital-asset service providers, and in a 2020 AML circular warned that virtual assets fall outside the protection of national banking laws.

   cbo.gov.om

4. 04Privacy-Coin Prohibition

   Under the current VASP registration instructions, VASPs are prohibited from dealing in virtual assets that conceal the identity of the originator or the nature of the transaction.

   addleshawgoddard.com fsa.gov.om

5. 05No Personal Income Tax on Crypto

   Oman levies no personal income tax or standalone capital-gains tax, so individual crypto gains are not subject to direct taxation. Corporate entities are subject to a 15% corporate income tax inclusive of capital gains.

   taxsummaries.pwc.com

6. 06GCC Context and FATF Alignment

   Oman's VASP registration framework explicitly references FATF definitions and recommendations, aligning the country with international AML/CFT standards for virtual assets ahead of the full licensing regime.

   blogs.loc.gov fsa.gov.om

Sources

1. 1.fsa.gov.om/Home/ReadMore?id=9560&id=9560
2. 2.fsa.gov.om/Home/SearchNews/35?newsId=9581
3. 3.cbo.gov.om/pages/ViewAMLDocs.aspx?file=https%3A%2F%2Fcbo.gov.om%2Fsites%2Fassets
4. 4.taxsummaries.pwc.com/oman
5. 5.taxsummaries.pwc.com/oman/corporate/income-determination
6. 6.addleshawgoddard.com/en/insights/insights-briefings/2025/financial-services/overview-of-cr
7. 7.blogs.loc.gov/law/2025/01/regulation-of-cryptocurrencies-in-the-gulf-cooperation-co
8. 8.research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTMxMTYxMzc5Mw