Central Bank of Jordan Crypto Policy: What You Need to Know in 2025

Central Bank of Jordan Crypto Policy: What You Need to Know in 2025 Nov, 2 2025

Crypto License Cost Calculator for Jordan

Under Jordan's new Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025, businesses must obtain a license from the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) to legally operate crypto services. This calculator shows the minimum application costs for compliance with Jordan's new regulatory framework.

Important: These costs are fixed under the new regulations. Additional expenses for software, staff, and legal advice are not included in this calculation.
Preliminary Application Fee JOD 5,000 ($7,000)
Compliance Documentation Review JOD 15,000 ($21,100)
Operational Readiness Assessment JOD 10,000 ($14,100)
Total Application Cost JOD 30,000 ($42,250)

Total License Application Cost

JOD 30,000 $42,250
This represents the minimum application cost required to obtain a virtual asset service provider license under Jordan's new regulatory framework. Additional costs for compliance systems, staff, and legal advice are typically required but not included in this calculation.

Important Note: The Central Bank of Jordan has indicated that capital requirements for licensed businesses will be published soon. Current estimates suggest these requirements will be substantial, potentially representing a significant barrier for smaller operators.

For years, if you traded Bitcoin or Ethereum in Jordan, you did it in the shadows. The Central Bank of Jordan banned banks from touching crypto back in 2014. No accounts. No exchanges. No payments. It wasn’t just a warning-it was a hard stop. But that changed on September 14, 2025. The old ban is gone. In its place is a new law: Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025. This isn’t just a tweak. It’s a full rewrite of how crypto works in Jordan.

From Ban to License: The Big Shift

Before 2025, any financial institution in Jordan that even looked at a crypto transaction risked fines or worse. The Central Bank of Jordan didn’t just discourage crypto-it made it illegal to facilitate. That changed because Jordan landed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2023. The reason? Weak controls over money laundering through unregulated digital assets. The world was watching. Jordan had to act.

The solution wasn’t to double down on the ban. It was to build a system that actually works. The new law, passed in June 2025 and effective by September, gives the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) full control over virtual asset service providers. Now, if you want to run a crypto exchange, wallet service, or trading platform in Jordan, you need a license. No exceptions. Not even for P2P platforms that operate locally. The law says any business that markets to Jordanians or has a physical presence in the country must be licensed.

Violating this rule? You’re looking at a minimum one-year prison sentence and a fine up to $141,000. That’s not a warning. That’s a deterrent.

Who’s in Charge Now?

The Central Bank of Jordan doesn’t run the show anymore. That job went to the Jordan Securities Commission. The JSC now handles everything: licensing, compliance checks, audits, and enforcement. The Central Bank still controls Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and digitized securities-but those are separate tracks. For everything else: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, stablecoins, NFTs-you name it-the JSC is the gatekeeper.

And the rules are strict. Every licensed business must follow Jordan’s Anti-Money Laundering Law No. 46 of 2007. That means:

  • Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for every user
  • Enhanced checks for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)
  • Monitoring all transactions above JOD 10,000 ($14,100)
  • Reporting suspicious activity to the Anti-Money Laundering Unit (AMLU)
  • Keeping records for five years
  • Appointing a dedicated AML compliance officer
  • Following the Travel Rule-sharing sender and receiver info on transfers over JOD 1,000

This isn’t optional. It’s baked into the license. If you can’t meet these standards, you don’t get approved.

How Much Does It Cost to Play?

Getting licensed isn’t cheap. The JSC lays out a three-step fee structure:

  1. Preliminary application: JOD 5,000 ($7,000)
  2. Compliance documentation review: JOD 15,000 ($21,100)
  3. Operational readiness assessment: JOD 10,000 ($14,100)

That’s JOD 30,000-over $42,000-just to apply. And that’s before you spend money on software, staff, or legal help. For a startup or small operator, this is a huge barrier. Some existing informal exchanges, which operated quietly for years, say they’re stuck. The capital requirements haven’t been published yet. No one knows how much cash they need to keep on hand. That uncertainty is slowing down compliance.

Even the help desk the JSC set up-available 24/7 in Arabic and English-has only a 68% satisfaction rate after its first month. People are frustrated. The system is new. The rules are complex. And the clock is ticking.

A regulator in a vintage office stamps crypto licenses amid piles of AML paperwork.

Who’s Winning? Who’s Losing?

Compared to the UAE, Jordan’s rules are simpler but less mature. The UAE has hundreds of licensed crypto firms, a clear legal framework, and deep international ties. Jordan is just starting. But compared to Kuwait, Egypt, and Iraq-countries that still ban crypto outright-Jordan is ahead. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.

There’s a big gap between what the law says and what people are actually doing. Right now, 85% of Jordan’s 1.2 million crypto users trade via informal P2P networks. They use WhatsApp, Telegram, or cash meetups. The new law doesn’t change that overnight. But it does mean those networks are now technically illegal unless they get licensed-which most won’t.

That creates a risky divide. On one side, licensed businesses face high costs and heavy compliance. On the other, informal traders operate without oversight, still vulnerable to fraud and money laundering. The government’s hope is that over time, the legal route becomes easier, cheaper, and more trustworthy than the underground one.

What’s Next?

Jordan isn’t stopping here. The government has already signaled what’s coming next:

  • Regulations for DeFi platforms by Q1 2026
  • A pilot Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) launching in Q3 2026
  • Plans to make Jordan a hub for Sharia-compliant crypto, given its 42 Islamic banks

The National Blockchain Strategy, approved in late 2024, aims to use blockchain in public services-health records, land titles, school transcripts. That’s the long game. But right now, the biggest challenge is execution.

The JSC has only 12 staff members focused on virtual assets. The country lacks enough professionals trained in blockchain compliance. A September 2025 survey found 73% of fintech startups struggled to set up transaction monitoring tools. The National Employment Council says there’s a 40% shortage of qualified workers in this field.

And then there’s the trust issue. After a decade of prohibition, many Jordanians don’t believe the government will enforce the rules fairly. Others worry the high costs will kill innovation. Reddit users in Amman say the $141,000 fine is excessive for small operators. One trader wrote: “I can’t afford the license. But I can’t stop trading either.”

A glowing CBDC rises over Jordan’s skyline as citizens debate crypto legality.

Can Jordan Compete?

Market analysts say Jordan’s crypto transaction volume could jump from $150 million in 2024 to $750 million by 2027. That’s a 71% annual growth rate. But it’s tiny next to the UAE, which handles $1.2 trillion a year. Bahrain processed $450 million in regulated crypto trades in just one quarter.

Jordan’s advantage? It’s not trying to be the biggest. It’s trying to be the most compliant. If it can prove it meets FATF standards and gets removed from the grey list, it could attract institutional investors looking for safe, regulated markets. That’s the real prize.

But that’s only possible if the JSC gets more staff, more training, and more time. And if small operators get some breathing room-not just penalties.

What Should You Do?

If you’re a Jordanian trader: Know the law. Trading on P2P networks is still risky. If you’re caught, you could be linked to an unlicensed operation-and that’s a crime.

If you’re a business owner: Start preparing now. Get your KYC system ready. Hire an AML officer. Talk to the JSC help desk. Don’t wait until the deadline hits.

If you’re an investor: Watch for the CBDC pilot. Watch for DeFi rules. Watch who gets licensed. The winners won’t be the biggest players-they’ll be the ones who understand compliance best.

The Central Bank of Jordan didn’t just change its mind about crypto. It rebuilt the entire system. Whether it works depends on one thing: Can a small country with limited resources build a world-class regulatory framework from scratch? The answer isn’t clear yet. But the experiment is officially underway.

Is crypto legal in Jordan in 2025?

Yes-but only if you’re licensed. The Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025 made it legal to operate crypto services in Jordan, but only under strict oversight by the Jordan Securities Commission. Unlicensed trading, exchanges, or promotions are still illegal and carry heavy penalties.

Who regulates crypto in Jordan now?

The Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) is the primary regulator for all virtual asset service providers. The Central Bank of Jordan no longer handles crypto oversight, except for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and digitized securities.

What are the penalties for breaking the crypto law?

Violations carry a minimum one-year prison sentence and fines up to $141,000 (100,000 Jordanian Dinars). This applies to anyone running an unlicensed exchange, promoting crypto services to Jordanians, or failing to comply with AML requirements.

Can I still use Binance or Coinbase in Jordan?

You can access international platforms like Binance or Coinbase, but they are not licensed in Jordan. Using them doesn’t make you a criminal-but if you’re involved in large-volume trading or act as a middleman for others, you could be linked to an unlicensed operation, which is illegal.

How much does it cost to get a crypto license in Jordan?

The total application cost is JOD 30,000 (about $42,250), split into three fees: JOD 5,000 for the preliminary application, JOD 15,000 for compliance review, and JOD 10,000 for operational assessment. Additional costs for software, staff, and legal help are not included.

Is there a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in Jordan?

Not yet, but a pilot CBDC is scheduled to launch in Q3 2026. The Central Bank of Jordan is developing it after the new virtual assets law is fully implemented. The CBDC will be separate from private cryptocurrencies and will be used for government payments and public services.

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17 Comments

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    Angie McRoberts

    November 4, 2025 AT 06:49
    So now you can go to jail for using WhatsApp to buy Bitcoin? Cool. I guess Jordan finally caught up with 2018.
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    Chris Hollis

    November 6, 2025 AT 02:55
    License costs more than most startups make in a year. They're not regulating crypto they're burying it.
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    Diana Smarandache

    November 7, 2025 AT 05:16
    The institutionalization of decentralized finance through bureaucratic overreach is a paradox wrapped in regulatory red tape. This is not progress. It is capture.
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    Allison Doumith

    November 8, 2025 AT 23:14
    People don't care about compliance when they're trying to feed their families. The law doesn't change reality it just makes criminals out of the desperate
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    Sunidhi Arakere

    November 10, 2025 AT 00:43
    Jordan is doing better than many countries. At least now there is a path forward.
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    Vivian Efthimiopoulou

    November 10, 2025 AT 13:52
    This is not merely a regulatory shift-it is a cultural recalibration of trust between the state and its citizens. The burden of proof has been inverted. Where once the state feared the unregulated, now it demands the unregulated conform to its architecture of control. The real question is not whether the system works-but whether the soul of decentralization can survive within it.
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    Angie Martin-Schwarze

    November 11, 2025 AT 15:08
    i think the jsc help desk is a joke like why is the satisfaction rate only 68%?? i mean come on they have 12 people for the whole country?? and the fees?? are they serious?? i just want to send some eth to my cousin without getting arrested
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    Fred Kärblane

    November 12, 2025 AT 14:43
    The JSC’s framework is a textbook example of KYC/AML compliance layered over a decentralized infrastructure. The Travel Rule implementation alone will force off-chain liquidity providers into on-chain traceability-massive operational overhead for P2P actors. But if they can integrate with Chainalysis or Elliptic, they might actually achieve FATF compliance before 2026.
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    Steven Lam

    November 13, 2025 AT 02:34
    if you trade crypto in jordan you deserve to go to jail you're helping the money launderers
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    Noah Roelofsn

    November 13, 2025 AT 17:47
    The real innovation here isn’t the law-it’s the quiet desperation of 1.2 million users who still trade anyway. Jordan didn’t legalize crypto. It just made the underground more dangerous. The JSC is building a castle on sand-every compliance officer is a single point of failure in a system designed for peer-to-peer chaos.
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    Sierra Rustami

    November 13, 2025 AT 20:40
    This is why America stays out of this mess. You let bureaucrats turn freedom into paperwork.
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    Christopher Evans

    November 14, 2025 AT 22:51
    The regulatory architecture is sound in theory. However, the execution lacks the human dimension necessary for adoption. Without accessible education and phased compliance timelines, this policy will alienate the very users it seeks to protect.
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    Ryan McCarthy

    November 15, 2025 AT 16:28
    I get the need for oversight. But punishing small traders won’t fix the problem. Maybe instead of fines, offer micro-licenses for P2P traders at $50/year? Let people opt in instead of forcing them underground.
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    Abelard Rocker

    November 17, 2025 AT 11:17
    Let’s be real-the JSC is just trying to replicate Dubai’s model without Dubai’s money, Dubai’s infrastructure, or Dubai’s tolerance for chaos. They’ve built a regulatory cathedral on a foundation of sand and hope. The 12 staff members? They’re not regulators-they’re janitors trying to mop up a tsunami with a toothbrush. And the $42k application fee? That’s not a barrier to entry-that’s a tax on ambition. Meanwhile, the 85% of users still trading on Telegram are laughing all the way to the bank, because they know the law doesn’t apply to them-it only applies to those dumb enough to try and play by the rules.
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    Hope Aubrey

    November 18, 2025 AT 06:03
    I'm so tired of this. Every time a country tries to regulate crypto it just ends up killing innovation. Jordan is trying so hard to be the next Switzerland but they're acting like a 1990s bank. And why does the AMLU need to know everything?? I'm not laundering money I'm just buying ETH because I believe in it.
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    Pranjali Dattatraya Upadhye

    November 19, 2025 AT 21:01
    I think this is actually a good step, honestly. Jordan has always been cautious, and now they're trying to do it right. Maybe they can become a model for other developing nations. The fees are high, yes-but if it means fewer scams and more trust, it's worth it. Also, the Sharia-compliant crypto angle? Brilliant. That could be their niche.
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    Kyung-Ran Koh

    November 21, 2025 AT 03:26
    I'm so proud of Jordan for stepping up! 💪 This is exactly the kind of responsible innovation we need in crypto. KYC, AML, Travel Rule-these aren't restrictions, they're protections. The $42k fee? It's an investment in safety. And the fact that they're planning a CBDC and DeFi rules? That's visionary. 🌟 I hope more countries follow this example-not the wild west, but a thoughtful, secure, regulated future. The JSC is doing God's work. 🙏

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