Jordan Crypto Business Cost Calculator
Calculate your total compliance costs for operating a crypto business in Jordan under Law No. 14 of 2025. The new regulations require licensing fees, staff training, and compliance software. Note: These estimates are based on current information and may change as regulations evolve.
Compliance Cost Breakdown
Jordan’s Crypto Rules Changed Overnight - Here’s How
Until September 2025, owning or trading Bitcoin in Jordan was technically illegal for banks and financial institutions. The Central Bank of Jordan had banned crypto transactions since 2014, warning that digital assets posed serious risks to financial stability. But today, that ban is gone - replaced by one of the strictest, most detailed crypto frameworks in the Middle East.
The change didn’t come quietly. On September 14, 2025, Law No. 14 of 2025 - the Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law - took full effect. It didn’t just legalize crypto. It turned Jordan into a tightly regulated market where every trade, exchange, and wallet service must be licensed, monitored, and reported. And if you break the rules? You could face up to a year in prison and a fine of $141,000.
Who’s in Charge Now?
The Central Bank of Jordan no longer runs crypto regulation. That job went to the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC). The JSC now handles everything: licensing, inspections, enforcement, and compliance checks for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs). This includes exchanges, wallet providers, staking platforms, and even peer-to-peer brokers who operate inside Jordan or target Jordanian customers.
What counts as "within Jordan’s territory"? The law is clear: if you’re physically in Jordan, if you have an office here, or if you actively market your service to Jordanians - even from abroad - you need a license. This means foreign exchanges like Binance or Kraken can’t just let Jordanians trade without approval. They’re now legally required to block access unless they’re licensed by the JSC.
What You Must Do to Stay Legal
If you’re running a crypto business in Jordan, you’re not just filling out a form. You’re building a full compliance system. Here’s what’s required:
- License application: Pay JOD 5,000 just to apply. Then JOD 15,000 for document review, and another JOD 10,000 for operational testing. Total upfront cost: JOD 30,000 (about $42,250).
- Anti-money laundering (AML) controls: You must verify every customer’s identity, monitor all transactions, and report anything over JOD 10,000. High-risk users - like politicians or public officials - need extra checks.
- Record keeping: Keep all transaction logs, customer files, and communications for five years.
- Travel Rule compliance: When sending crypto to another VASP, you must share sender and receiver details - just like wire transfers.
- Designate an AML officer: Someone on your team must be trained, certified, and accountable for all compliance failures.
There’s no wiggle room. The JSC doesn’t just check paperwork - they audit systems. One fintech startup in Amman told CoinTelegraph they spent six months just setting up their transaction monitoring software. They still got flagged for missing data fields.
Who’s Getting Left Behind?
The law was designed to clean up the market - but it’s also pushing out small players. Before 2025, an estimated 1.2 million Jordanians (10.8% of the population) used crypto, mostly through informal P2P groups on WhatsApp or Telegram. Many of them were freelancers, students, or small business owners sending money across borders.
Now, those informal networks are at risk. The law doesn’t exempt individuals - but it doesn’t offer them a way to comply either. If you’re trading Bitcoin with a friend to pay for freelance work, you’re technically breaking the law unless you’re using a licensed platform. And those platforms? They’re expensive. The licensing fees alone are more than most small businesses can afford.
Reddit users in Jordan are split. One trader wrote: "After years of trading in the dark, I’m glad it’s legal - but the fines are crushing for someone who just wants to send $500 to their family." Another said: "The system feels built for big firms. We’re just trying to survive."
According to a September 2025 survey by the Jordan Digital Economy Monitor, 78% of Jordanians believe the new rules will hurt small operators. Only 22% think they’ll help.
How Jordan Compares to Its Neighbors
Jordan isn’t the first in the region to regulate crypto - but it’s one of the few that went from total ban to full compliance in under two years.
Compare that to:
- UAE: Has a mature, multi-layered system with free zones, clear tax rules, and over 500,000 daily crypto traders. But it’s expensive and complex.
- Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq: Still ban crypto entirely. No licenses. No exceptions.
- Bahrain: Has a lighter-touch regime with faster approvals and lower fees. Processed $450 million in crypto transactions in Q3 2025 alone.
Jordan’s approach is stricter than Bahrain’s but more open than Egypt’s. It’s designed to meet FATF standards - not to attract startups. The goal? Get off the FATF grey list, which Jordan was placed on in 2023 over money laundering risks tied to unregulated crypto.
That’s working. The IMF gave Jordan a technical review in June 2025 and called the law "commendable alignment with international standards." But they also warned: "The JSC has only 12 staff members assigned to crypto oversight. Can they handle this?"
What’s Next? CBDCs, DeFi, and the Shadow Market
The Central Bank of Jordan isn’t done. While the JSC handles private crypto, the CBJ is working on its own digital currency - a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). A pilot program is scheduled for Q3 2026. This won’t compete with Bitcoin or Ethereum. It’s meant to replace cash for government payments, pensions, and public services.
Meanwhile, the government is preparing rules for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms by early 2026. Right now, DeFi apps like Uniswap or Aave are in a legal gray zone - technically illegal unless licensed, but no one knows how to license a smart contract.
And then there’s the underground. Even with the new law, 85% of Jordanian crypto users still trade through informal networks. That’s not going away overnight. Some experts worry the law will just drive activity further underground - making it harder to track, not easier.
The Real Cost of Compliance
It’s not just about money. It’s about skills. Jordan’s fintech sector is short on professionals who understand blockchain, AML compliance, and regulatory reporting. The National Employment Council reported a 40% shortage of qualified workers in these areas as of September 2025.
Startups are scrambling. One Amman-based crypto firm hired a compliance officer from Dubai - at triple the local salary. Another spent $18,000 on software that still couldn’t auto-detect suspicious transfers.
The JSC set up a help desk with Arabic and English support, but user satisfaction is only 68%. Many say it’s slow, unclear, and doesn’t answer technical questions.
Is Jordan’s Crypto Future Bright?
The numbers suggest yes. Fitch Solutions predicts Jordan’s crypto market will grow from $150 million in 2024 to $750 million by 2027 - a 71% annual growth rate. That’s one of the highest projected growth rates in the region.
But growth doesn’t mean success. If only big firms can afford to play, and ordinary users are forced back into the shadows, the system fails. The real test won’t be how many licenses are issued - it’ll be whether Jordanians can use crypto safely, legally, and without paying a fortune to do it.
Right now, Jordan is walking a tightrope. It’s trying to fix a broken system, attract international trust, and protect its citizens - all at once. Whether it lands on its feet depends on one thing: flexibility. The law is rigid. The market isn’t. If regulators don’t adapt, the people will find a way around it - again.
Is it legal to own Bitcoin in Jordan in 2025?
Yes, owning Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency is legal for individuals in Jordan. The law doesn’t ban personal ownership. But you can’t legally trade, exchange, or offer services involving crypto unless you’re licensed by the Jordan Securities Commission. So holding Bitcoin in your wallet is fine - using it to pay for goods, trade on an unlicensed exchange, or run a P2P service is not.
What happens if I use an unlicensed crypto exchange?
If you’re just using an unlicensed exchange to buy or sell crypto as a private user, you won’t be prosecuted. The law targets service providers - not end users. But if you’re running a platform, brokering trades, or collecting fees - even informally - you’re breaking the law. Penalties include prison time and fines up to $141,000. The JSC has already started monitoring foreign exchanges that target Jordanians.
Can I start a crypto business in Jordan now?
Yes, but it’s expensive and complex. You need to apply for a license through the Jordan Securities Commission, pay JOD 30,000 in fees, hire certified AML staff, install compliance software, and pass an operational audit. The process takes 6-8 months. Most startups can’t afford it. The JSC has not yet published minimum capital requirements, adding uncertainty. Only large firms or well-funded startups are likely to succeed in the first year.
Does the law apply to decentralized apps (DeFi)?
Not yet. DeFi platforms like Uniswap or Aave aren’t explicitly covered under Law No. 14 of 2025. But the government has announced plans to create specific rules for DeFi by Q1 2026. Until then, operating a DeFi service that targets Jordanians could be considered illegal under the broad definition of "virtual asset activity." The JSC has warned that DeFi will be treated as high-risk and will likely require full licensing, including KYC and transaction monitoring.
Will Jordan’s crypto market grow under these rules?
Yes - but unevenly. Fitch Solutions predicts the market will grow to $750 million by 2027. That growth will come from institutional investors, licensed exchanges, and government-linked projects - not from small traders. The real risk is that informal P2P trading continues to thrive, making the official market look bigger than it is. Success depends on whether regulators can make compliance affordable and practical for average users.
What’s the difference between the Central Bank of Jordan and the Jordan Securities Commission?
The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) controls traditional banking, interest rates, and national currency. It no longer regulates crypto. That job belongs to the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), which now oversees all virtual asset service providers. The CBJ is focused on launching its own digital currency (CBDC) in 2026, while the JSC handles private crypto like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and tokens. Think of it like this: CBJ = national money, JSC = private digital assets.
