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United Arab Emirates vs Bahrain

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | United Arab Emirates | Bahrain
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Bahrain

Bahrain

Legal
Legal

The UAE has become a global crypto hub with multiple regulatory frameworks. Dubai's VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority), established in 2022, is the world's first dedicated crypto regulator and licenses exchanges, brokers, and other VASPs. Abu Dhabi's ADGM regulates crypto through the FSRA. The federal SCA also oversees crypto at the national level. The UAE has no personal income or capital gains tax. Major global exchanges (Binance, Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com) have obtained UAE licenses.

Bahrain is one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the Middle East. The Central Bank of Bahrain introduced a comprehensive crypto-asset regulatory framework in 2019, and there is no personal income or capital gains tax. Several major exchanges including Binance have obtained licenses.

Tax Type None
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator CBB (Central Bank of Bahrain)
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules Regulated under CBB crypto-asset module; stablecoin issuance requires CBB licensing
Key Points
  • VARA (Dubai) — world's first standalone virtual asset regulator; comprehensive licensing framework
  • ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi) — separate regulatory framework for digital assets in the financial free zone
  • No personal income tax or capital gains tax in the UAE
  • 9% corporate tax (from 2023) may apply to crypto businesses but not individual investors
  • Major exchanges licensed: Binance, Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com, BitOasis
Key Points
  • CBB Crypto-Asset Module provides a full regulatory framework for exchanges, custodians, and brokers
  • No personal income tax or capital gains tax in Bahrain
  • Licensed exchanges include Binance (CoinMENA), Rain, and others
  • VASPs must meet AML/CFT requirements and obtain CBB licensing
  • Bahrain positions itself as a regional fintech and crypto hub
Sources
Sources