ecox.pro logo ecox.pro Independent guide
Menu

Is crypto legal in Oman?

Oman regulates crypto service providers through registration with its securities regulator, now called the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The central bank warned in 2020 that cryptocurrencies were not legal tender and that it had not licensed anyone to deal in them.[1][2][3][4]

  • Published
  • Updated
  • Sources last checked

Independent publication about EcoX and related public activity. Not operated by or affiliated with EcoX Network, Jorge Sebastiao or Franco Fiore. Advertisements are separate from editorial coverage. About this site

Short answer

  • Providers must register. Under instructions issued in June 2023, no one may carry out virtual asset service activity in Oman without registering with the regulator, and this includes providers that offer services in Oman. [5][1][6]
  • Payments need central bank approval. A registered provider may not deal in virtual assets for payment purposes before the Central Bank of Oman approves it. [7]
  • The central bank's 2020 warning. The Central Bank of Oman cautioned against using, holding and trading cryptocurrencies and said it had licensed no one to deal in them. This is historical; we found no newer central bank statement. [8][3]
  • Mining. Official sources report crypto-mining hosting centres in the Salalah Free Zone and Dhofar. [9][10]

Who is responsible

Authorities whose statements or rules on crypto are cited on this page
AuthorityRole in the sources we cite
Financial Services Authority (FSA), formerly the Capital Market Authority Registers virtual asset service providers and applies anti-money-laundering rules to them [11][2]
Central Bank of Oman (CBO) Issued the 2020 warning; must approve virtual-asset payment activity [8][7]
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Reported on data-centre investments that include crypto mining [12]
Tax Authority Publishes VAT guides; no crypto tax rule found [13]

Registration of virtual asset service providers

The instructions were issued by Decision No. E/35/2023 on 6 June 2023. They define a virtual asset as a digital representation of value that can be traded or transferred digitally and used for payment or investment. [5][14]

  • Permitted activities are limited to specified exchange, transfer, safekeeping or administration, and issuing or offering services. [15]
  • Registration is required for Omani companies, individuals with a place of business in Oman, and providers offering services in Oman. [6]
  • The regulator must decide a complete application within 30 days; no decision in that time counts as a rejection. [16]
  • Registered providers may not deal in virtual assets that hide the identity, value or nature of transactions. [17]
  • The regulator keeps a public register and may deregister a provider that does not start services within three months. [18][19]
  • Registered providers must keep a documented, current money-laundering and terrorist-financing risk assessment. [20]

The wider framework

  • The Securities Law of 2022 allows the regulator to approve technology applications and digital virtual investments as set by regulation. [21][22]
  • In 2023 the regulator announced plans for a full virtual assets framework, covering crypto assets, exchanges and coin offerings, and held a public consultation that closed on 17 August 2023. [23][24][25][26]
  • On 26 July 2026 the FSA announced the Executive Regulation of the Securities Law. Existing instructions remain in force unless they conflict with it. [27][28]
  • The FSA says it can license fintech activities not yet covered by specific legislation through a regulatory sandbox. [29]

The central bank's 2020 warning

  • On 10 May 2020 the Central Bank of Oman cautioned citizens and residents about using, holding and trading cryptocurrencies. [8]
  • It said cryptocurrencies were not guaranteed by the central bank and not protected as legal tender under the Banking Law. [4]
  • It named volatility and fraud as risks that could cause permanent loss. [30]

Mining and tax

  • In August 2023 the first phase of a data-processing and crypto-mining hosting centre owned by Exahertz International opened in the Salalah Free Zone. [9][31]
  • The ministry responsible for IT said data centres in Dhofar include blockchain and crypto-mining activity. [10]
  • The only crypto reference we found in Tax Authority material is a hypothetical example in a June 2023 VAT guide on capital assets. It is not a rule on crypto taxation. [13][32]

What we could not find

On 13 October 2026 we found no official source on:

  • which providers, if any, are currently on the FSA's public register;
  • whether the full licensing framework proposed in 2023 has been issued or withdrawn;
  • an official statement on whether individuals, including foreign residents, may buy and hold crypto;
  • a central bank statement newer than the 2020 warning;
  • the tax treatment of crypto gains, trading or mining income;
  • the permits a mining facility needs.

If you know of an official text that answers one of these points, send it through the contact form and we will review it.

How this compares with Dubai and the UAE

In the UAE, crypto firms need a licence: in Dubai from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)[33], and under federal rules for the same kind of activity elsewhere in the UAE.[34] See Is crypto legal in Dubai? and the list of firms on the VARA register.

Other Gulf countries

Sources

Each note shows the source, its publisher, the date we last checked it and the status of the statement it supports. Status labels are explained in the editorial policy.

  1. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions say that a person may not carry out VASP activity in Oman without registration with the CMA.
  2. Executive Regulation for the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 26 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The FSA says the 2026 Securities Law Executive Regulation was issued pursuant in part to Royal Decree No. 20/2024 establishing the Financial Services Authority and issuing its statute.
  3. Cautionary Notice on the Use of Cryptocurrencies, Central Bank of Oman, published 10 May 2020. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: In its 2020 warning, the CBO said it had not licensed or authorised any entity or company to operate cryptocurrency schemes or deal in cryptocurrency or similar virtual currencies.
  4. Cautionary Notice on the Use of Cryptocurrencies, Central Bank of Oman, published 10 May 2020. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The CBO's 2020 warning said cryptocurrency creation, trading and usage were not guaranteed by the CBO and were not protected as legal-tender money under Banking Law No. 114/2000.
  5. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: CMA Decision No. E/35/2023 issued the instructions for registration of virtual-asset service providers on 6 June 2023.
  6. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions require registration by Oman-incorporated VASPs, natural persons with a place of business in Oman, and VASPs offering or conducting services in Oman.
  7. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: A CMA-registered VASP may not deal in virtual assets for payment purposes, including stored-value facilities, before obtaining CBO approval.
  8. Cautionary Notice on the Use of Cryptocurrencies, Central Bank of Oman, published 10 May 2020. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: On 10 May 2020, the CBO cautioned citizens and residents about using, holding and trading cryptocurrencies.
  9. Centre for Processing Data, Hosting Cryptocurrency Mining Opened in Salalah, Oman News Agency, published 13 August 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: On 13 August 2023, the first phase of a data-processing and cryptocurrency-mining hosting centre was inaugurated at Salalah Free Zone.
  10. Promising Digital Projects in the Telecommunications and Information Technology Sector in Dhofar Governorate Worth Over OMR 80 Million, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The Ministry said activities of the Dhofar data centres include data processing, blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency mining.
  11. Laws and Regulations related to combating money laundering and terrorism financing, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The FSA's current AML/CFT laws-and-regulations page lists instructions for registering VASPs and applying AML/CFT requirements.
  12. Promising Digital Projects in the Telecommunications and Information Technology Sector in Dhofar Governorate Worth Over OMR 80 Million, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Oman. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology said Dhofar data-centre projects represented foreign investment estimated at OMR 80 million.
  13. VAT Taxpayer Guide (Capital Assets), Oman Tax Authority, published June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The Oman Tax Authority's VAT Taxpayer Guide on capital assets is Version 1 dated June 2023.
  14. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions define a virtual asset as a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded or transferred and used for payment or investment.
  15. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions restrict VASP activities to specified exchange, transfer, safekeeping or administration, and issue-or-offer financial-service activities.
  16. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: Under the VASP instructions, the CMA must decide a complete registration application within 30 days, and no approval within that period is deemed rejection.
  17. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: A CMA-registered VASP may not deal in virtual assets that disguise or conceal transaction identity, value or nature.
  18. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions define the registry as a publicly accessible register prepared and maintained by the CMA.
  19. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The CMA may cancel or deregister a VASP if it does not start services within three months after registration.
  20. Decision No. E/35/2023: Instructions on Registration of Virtual Asset Service Providers and AML/CFT Requirements, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 6 June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The VASP instructions require registered entities to identify, assess and understand their money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks in a documented, current risk assessment.
  21. Royal Decree 46/2022 on the Issuance of the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 16 June 2022. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: Royal Decree No. 46/2022 issued the Securities Law on 16 June 2022.
  22. Royal Decree 46/2022 on the Issuance of the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 16 June 2022. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The Securities Law authorises the Authority to approve technology applications and digital virtual investments in the manner set by regulation.
  23. Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 14 February 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: On 14 February 2023, the Capital Market Authority announced plans to establish a Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework for Oman.
  24. Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 14 February 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The CMA's February 2023 proposed framework was envisaged to cover crypto assets, tokens, crypto exchanges and initial coin offerings.
  25. Public Consultation Paper on the Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 27 July 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The CMA opened a public consultation on the proposed virtual-assets and VASP framework on 27 July 2023.
  26. Public Consultation Paper on the Virtual Assets Regulatory Framework, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 27 July 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The CMA set 17 August 2023 as the deadline for responses to its virtual-assets framework consultation paper.
  27. Executive Regulation for the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 26 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: On 26 July 2026, the FSA announced approval of the Executive Regulation of the Securities Law.
  28. Executive Regulation for the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 26 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The 2026 FSA announcement says existing instructions, forms and circulars remain in force unless inconsistent with the Securities Law or its Executive Regulation.
  29. Executive Regulation for the Securities Law, Financial Services Authority, Sultanate of Oman, published 26 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The 2026 FSA announcement says the FSA can license FinTech services and innovative financial-instrument activities not yet governed by specific legislation through a regulatory sandbox.
  30. Cautionary Notice on the Use of Cryptocurrencies, Central Bank of Oman, published 10 May 2020. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The CBO's 2020 warning identified volatility and fraud as risks that could cause permanent loss of a cryptocurrency investment.
  31. Centre for Processing Data, Hosting Cryptocurrency Mining Opened in Salalah, Oman News Agency, published 13 August 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Historical Supports: The Salalah centre reported by ONA belonged to Exahertz International, a subsidiary of Afaq Advanced Technologies.
  32. VAT Taxpayer Guide (Capital Assets), Oman Tax Authority, published June 2023. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: The Tax Authority's capital-assets guide uses a hypothetical cryptocurrency-trading division to explain that intellectual property bought before the division begins is not subject to VAT adjustment until it is available for use.
  33. Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai, Dubai Legislation Portal, published 28 February 2022. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: A person may not conduct a Dubai virtual asset activity without a VARA permit under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022.
  34. Cabinet Resolution No. (111) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets and the Related Service Providers, UAE Legislation. Checked 13 October 2026. Confirmed Supports: Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022 prohibits a person from engaging in VA activities in the UAE without approval and a licence from the SCA (now the Capital Market Authority) or the applicable local licensing authority.