Bahrain vs Iraq
Crypto regulation comparison
Bahrain
Iraq
Legal
Banned
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.
Iraq has banned cryptocurrency dealings. The Central Bank of Iraq issued a directive in 2017 prohibiting banks, financial institutions, and exchange companies from dealing in cryptocurrency. Despite the ban, some underground and peer-to-peer crypto trading reportedly persists.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
CBB (Central Bank of Bahrain)
Regulator
CBI (Central Bank of Iraq)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under CBB crypto-asset module; stablecoin issuance requires CBB licensing
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable; crypto activities prohibited
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
Key Points
- CBI banned all crypto dealings by financial institutions in 2017
- Exchange companies are prohibited from handling cryptocurrency
- No regulatory framework for crypto businesses
- Underground and P2P crypto trading reportedly exists despite the ban
- The ban is motivated by AML concerns and financial stability considerations