Central Bank of Jordan Crypto Policy: 2025 Law Explained

For over a decade, if you wanted to buy Bitcoin in Amman, you did it in the shadows. There was no legal way to do it. The Central Bank of Jordan spent years issuing circulars that essentially told financial institutions to stay away from crypto. But that era ended abruptly. In 2025, Jordan flipped the script completely, moving from total prohibition to a structured regulatory framework. This wasn't just a policy tweak; it was a survival strategy for a country on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

If you are looking at entering the Jordanian market or trying to understand why your compliance team is suddenly asking about "Virtual Assets," this is the landscape you need to know. The new rules are strict, the penalties are heavy, and the window for compliance is tight. Let's break down what actually changed, who is in charge, and what it means for businesses and investors.

From Ban to Law: The Regulatory Shift

The story starts in February 2014. That’s when the Central Bank of Jordan issued its first warning, prohibiting banks and financial institutions from dealing in Bitcoin. For ten years, this stance held firm. Crypto existed in Jordan, but only through peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and informal channels. It was a gray area that kept regulators nervous and users cautious.

The turning point came due to external pressure. In 2023, the FATF placed Jordan on its grey list, citing concerns over money laundering risks linked to unregulated digital assets. To get off that list, Jordan needed action. The result was Law No. 14 of 2025, officially titled the Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law. This legislation took effect on September 14, 2025, marking the official end of the ban and the beginning of formal oversight.

This shift positions Jordan differently from its neighbors. While countries like Kuwait and Egypt still prohibit virtual assets entirely, Jordan has created a legal pathway. It’s not as open as the UAE, which hosts hundreds of thousands of daily traders, but it’s a significant step toward legitimacy. The goal isn’t just to allow crypto; it’s to make Jordan a compliant hub in the Middle East.

Who Regulates What? The Role of the JSC

Here is where many people get confused. You might think the Central Bank of Jordan is running the show now. Actually, they stepped back. Under the new law, the primary regulatory authority for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) is the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC).

The JSC is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and enforcing the rules for anyone conducting virtual asset activities within Jordan’s borders. The definition of "within Jordan" is broad. If a foreign exchange sets up an office there, operates locally, or even just markets their services specifically to Jordanian customers, they fall under this jurisdiction.

The Central Bank of Jordan retains control over two specific areas:

• CBDCs: Any future Central Bank Digital Currency will be managed by the CBJ.
• Digitized Securities: Tokenized stocks or bonds remain under the JSC’s traditional securities mandate, separate from pure crypto assets.

So, if you are launching a crypto exchange or a wallet service in Amman, you are talking to the JSC, not the Central Bank. This separation is designed to keep monetary policy stable while allowing the capital markets regulator to handle the volatility of digital assets.

Licensing Requirements and Costs

Getting a license in Jordan is not a quick process. The JSC has established a multi-stage application procedure that requires significant upfront investment. For startups and SMEs, these costs can be a major barrier to entry.

1. Preliminary Application: Costs JOD 5,000 (approx. $7,000). This covers the initial review of your business plan.
2. Detailed Compliance Documentation: Costs JOD 15,000 (approx. $21,000). You must submit full AML/CFT protocols here.
3. Operational Readiness Assessment: Costs JOD 10,000 (approx. $14,000). The JSC verifies your tech stack and staffing before granting final approval.

In total, you should budget around JOD 30,000 (approx. $42,250) just in application fees, before hiring legal counsel or building your infrastructure. The JSC estimates that existing businesses will need 6-8 months to achieve full compliance. This timeline includes setting up robust anti-money laundering (AML) systems, which is the core of the new regime.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The old days of ignoring the rules are gone. Article 28 of Law No. 14 of 2025 introduces severe penalties for operating without a license. These aren't just fines; they carry criminal weight.

A one-year prison sentence for a regulatory violation is a strong signal. It tells small operators that the state takes AML seriously. For large institutions, the $141,000 fine is manageable, but for smaller players, it’s existential. This explains why sentiment among local entrepreneurs is mixed-there is relief at having clarity, but fear of the high stakes.

AML and CFT Obligations

At the heart of the new law is compliance with Jordan’s AML/CFT Law No. 46 of 2007. Every licensed entity must adhere to strict customer due diligence (CDD) standards. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Customer Identification: You must verify the identity of every user. For high-risk clients, such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is mandatory.
• Transaction Monitoring: All transactions above JOD 10,000 must be reported to the Anti-Money Laundering Unit (AMLU).
• Travel Rule: Providers must share originator and beneficiary information for cross-border transfers, aligning with international FATF standards.
• Record Keeping: All records must be maintained for at least five years.

You also need to appoint a dedicated AML compliance officer. This person is responsible for ensuring your internal controls work. It’s not a role you can outsource casually; the JSC expects a named individual with direct reporting lines to senior management.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

Jordan has a population of 11.1 million, with an estimated 1.2 million active crypto users. Before 2025, 85% of these users traded via P2P networks. Now, with a legal framework in place, there is potential for institutional growth. Fitch Solutions predicts that Jordan’s digital asset transaction volume could grow from $150 million in 2024 to $750 million by 2027.

However, competition is fierce. The UAE processes over $1.2 trillion in annual crypto volume, and Bahrain is rapidly emerging as a regional player. Jordan’s advantage lies in its stability and its strategic push for Sharia-compliant digital assets. With 42 Islamic financial institutions in the country, there is a unique niche for tokenized Sukuk and other compliant products.

Looking ahead, the Central Bank of Jordan has signaled plans to pilot a CBDC in Q3 2026. Additionally, supplementary regulations for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms are expected by Q1 2026. For now, though, the focus remains on getting VASPs compliant and removing Jordan from the FATF grey list. If successful, this could unlock significant foreign investment and position Jordan as a credible middle-ground hub in the Middle East.