Jordan
Retail_Trading_Status
- Analysis ID
- #700
- Version
- Archived
- Created
- 2025-12-12 04:41
- Run
- b435224a...
- History
- View all versions
- Workflow Stage
- Step 1
Executive Summary
Jordan is currently in a transitional phase, moving from a strict banking ban to a regulated environment following the enactment of the 'Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025' in June 2025. While the primary legislation became effective in September 2025, the necessary licensing regulations were only approved in draft form by the Cabinet in October 2025, meaning no licenses have been issued yet and retail trading via local entities remains operationally restricted. The Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) is designated as the primary regulator for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), while the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) retains authority over payment-related crypto activities and banking interactions, with a full lifting of the historical banking ban expected by the end of 2025.
Key Pillars
Jordan Securities Commission (JSC): Primary regulator responsible for licensing and supervising VASPs.
Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ): Retains authority over the use of virtual assets for payments and oversees bank interactions with crypto entities.
Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025: The foundational legal framework defining virtual assets and VASP obligations.
Licensing Requirement: All entities providing custody, exchange, or transfer services must obtain a license from the JSC; unlicensed operation is a criminal offense.
AML/CFT Compliance: VASPs are designated as reporting entities and must adhere to strict KYC and transaction monitoring rules aligned with FATF standards.
Landmark Laws
Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law (Law Regulating Dealings in Virtual Assets) (Law No. 14 of 2025) - Enacted: 2025-06-16
- Legalizes virtual asset activities under a licensing regime; designates the JSC as the regulator; sets penalties for unlicensed activities including fines and imprisonment; became effective September 14, 2025.
- Source
Central Bank of Jordan Circulars (Historical) (Circular No. 10/1/2014 et al.) - Enacted: 2014-02-20
- Prohibited banks and financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrencies; these restrictions are being superseded or modified by the new 2025 framework to allow banking services for licensed VASPs.
- Source
Licensing System for Virtual Asset Service Providers (Draft) (Draft Regulation 2025) - Enacted: 2025-10-23
- Draft regulations approved by the Cabinet detailing capital requirements, fees, and technical standards for VASP licenses; expected to be issued formally by year-end 2025.
Considerations
Transitional Status: Although the law is effective, the absence of issued licenses means legal local trading channels are not yet operational.
Bank Ban Lifting: The historical ban on banks processing crypto transactions is set to be lifted or modified by the end of 2025 to accommodate licensed VASPs.
Payment Restrictions: Using crypto for payments (buying goods/services) remains restricted and requires specific CBJ approval.
Penalties: The new law introduces severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines up to 100,000 JOD, for operating without a license.
Foreign Exchanges: The status of accessing foreign exchanges remains sensitive; the JSC aims to encourage users to move to local licensed platforms once available.
Notes
The 'Gray-Zone' classification is temporary. Once the first license is issued (expected late 2025/early 2026), the status will shift to 'Allowed-Regulated'. The current environment is one of 'pending implementation' where the law exists but the market is not yet open.
Remaining Uncertainties
- Exact date when the first VASP license will be issued and operational.
- Specifics of the new CBJ instructions regarding bank accounts for crypto companies.
- Taxation framework for retail crypto gains under the new law.
Full Analysis Report
Full Analysis Report
As of December 2025, Jordan's cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a prohibitive environment to a regulated market. For over a decade, the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) maintained a hostile stance, issuing circulars in 2014, 2018, and 2019 that effectively banned financial institutions from dealing with cryptocurrencies, citing volatility and money laundering risks. This left retail investors in a gray zone where personal possession was not explicitly criminalized, but access to banking rails was blocked.
The regulatory pivot materialized with the enactment of the 'Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025' in June 2025. This legislation, which became effective on September 14, 2025, formally brings virtual assets into the legal fold. It appoints the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) as the primary licensing authority for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), covering activities such as trading, custody, and portfolio management. The law explicitly distinguishes between investment/trading activities (regulated by the JSC) and payment activities (which remain under the strict purview of the CBJ).
Despite the law's passage, the operational reality for retail traders remains restrictive in the short term. As of October 2025, the Cabinet had only just approved the draft licensing regulations, and the JSC indicated that the first licenses were yet to be issued. Consequently, no legal local avenues for trading exist at this exact moment. The government has announced that the 'ban' on trading—referring to the banking restrictions and lack of legal platforms—is set to be fully lifted by the end of 2025 once the first batch of licenses is processed.
The new framework imposes rigorous compliance standards. VASPs must maintain a physical presence in Jordan, meet minimum capital requirements, and adhere to strict AML/CFT protocols. The law also introduces significant deterrents for non-compliance, with penalties for unlicensed operations including imprisonment for at least one year and substantial fines. This indicates that while Jordan is opening its doors to crypto, it is doing so with a focus on tight control and consumer protection, aiming to position itself as a secure regional hub for digital assets.
As of December 2025, Jordan's cryptocurrency landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a prohibitive environment to a regulated market. For over a decade, the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) maintained a hostile stance, issuing circulars in 2014, 2018, and 2019 that effectively banned financial institutions from dealing with cryptocurrencies, citing volatility and money laundering risks. This left retail investors in a gray zone where personal possession was not explicitly criminalized, but access to banking rails was blocked. The regulatory pivot materialized with the enactment of the 'Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law No. 14 of 2025' in June 2025. This legislation, which became effective on September 14, 2025, formally brings virtual assets into the legal fold. It appoints the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) as the primary licensing authority for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), covering activities such as trading, custody, and portfolio management. The law explicitly distinguishes between investment/trading activities (regulated by the JSC) and payment activities (which remain under the strict purview of the CBJ). Despite the law's passage, the operational reality for retail traders remains restrictive in the short term. As of October 2025, the Cabinet had only just approved the draft licensing regulations, and the JSC indicated that the first licenses were yet to be issued. Consequently, no legal local avenues for trading exist at this exact moment. The government has announced that the 'ban' on trading—referring to the banking restrictions and lack of legal platforms—is set to be fully lifted by the end of 2025 once the first batch of licenses is processed. The new framework imposes rigorous compliance standards. VASPs must maintain a physical presence in Jordan, meet minimum capital requirements, and adhere to strict AML/CFT protocols. The law also introduces significant deterrents for non-compliance, with penalties for unlicensed operations including imprisonment for at least one year and substantial fines. This indicates that while Jordan is opening its doors to crypto, it is doing so with a focus on tight control and consumer protection, aiming to position itself as a secure regional hub for digital assets.
Source Evidence
Primary and secondary sources cited in this analysis
"The Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) confirmed on Thursday that the Virtual Asset Service Providers Licensing bill for 2025 is in its final stages and expected to be issued soon."
"Jordan has officially passed Law No. 14 of 2025, known as the 'Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law,' laying the foundation for a regulated virtual asset ecosystem."
"Prohibiting banks and financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrencies."
"Jordan is set to lift its ban on cryptocurrency trading, with the Jordan Securities Commission confirming that a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework will be ready before the end of the year."
"Law No. 14 of 2025... became effective on September 14th, 2025."
Web Sources (10)
Sources discovered via web search grounding
Search queries used (8)
- Jordan virtual asset service provider licensing
- legal status of cryptocurrency in Jordan for individuals
- Jordan crypto trading ban retail investors
- Jordan Securities Commission virtual assets regulation 2024
- Central Bank of Jordan cryptocurrency circular ban 2024 2025
- Jordan Law No. 14 of 2025 Virtual Assets text
- Central Bank of Jordan crypto circular 2025 lift ban
- Jordan Securities Commission VASP regulations status December 2025
https://www.karajahlaw.com/news-blogs/jordan%E2%80%99s-2025-virtual-asset-law-aligning-uae%E2%80%99s-legal-framework-or-charting-its-own
https://alkhairattorneys.com/the-regulating-dealings-in-virtual-assets-no-14-of-2025-jordans-leap-toward-formalizing-the-blockchain-digital-economy
https://lawzana.com/articles/hashemite-kingdom-of-jordan/hashemite-kingdom-of-jordan-2025-virtual-assets-law-crypto-337
https://www.lightspark.com/knowledge/is-crypto-legal-in-jordan
https://www.unlock-bc.com/144285/jordan-enacts-first-legal-framework-for-virtual-assets-to-boost-financial-innovation/
https://phemex.com/news/article/jordan-to-end-crypto-trading-ban-introduce-regulations-by-yearend-41305
https://ua.news/en/finansi/iordaniia-skasovuie-zaboronu-na-torgivliu-kriptovaliutoiu-ta-rozrobliaie-novu-reguliatornu-sistemu
https://www.karajahlaw.com/news-blogs/jordan%E2%80%99s-2025-virtual-asset-law-aligning-uae%E2%80%99s-legal-framework-or-charting-its-own
https://pstg1.petra.gov.jo/en/news/jsc-regulation-for-licensing-virtual-asset-service-providers-to-be-issued-soon
https://cleverrobot.com/jordan-cracks-down-new-law-targets-unauthorized-crypto-use/