Jordan Crypto Licensing Cost Calculator
Calculate Your Total Licensing Costs
Determine upfront costs and annual renewal fees for operating a crypto business in Jordan under Law No. 14 of 2025
Total Cost Summary
Upfront licensing costs: JOD 30,000
Annual renewal fee: JOD 2,000
Total for 1 year: JOD 32,000
For years, anyone in Jordan who wanted to trade Bitcoin or any other virtual asset had to do it in the shadows. Then, almost overnight, the government rolled out a legal framework that turned prohibition into a regulated market. This article unpacks what the Jordan crypto regulation really means for traders, startups, and the broader economy.
From a Complete Ban to Law No. 14 of 2025
Back in February 2014, the Central Bank of Jordan issued Circular No. 2014â02â20, explicitly warning banks and financial institutions not to engage with Bitcoin or any other virtual asset. The warning read like a blackâandâwhite ban, and it effectively pushed crypto activity into peerâtoâpeer networks and informal exchanges.
Fast forward to 2023, the country landed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list because regulators feared moneyâlaundering and terroristâfinancing risks. The pressure forced Jordan to rethink its stance. The result was Law No. 14 of 2025, formally called the Virtual Assets Transactions Regulation Law. The law was published in the Government Gazette on 15 October 2025 and became effective 90 days later, on 14 September 2025.
In short, Jordan moved from a blanket prohibition to a licensingâbased regime that aligns with FATF recommendations while still keeping a tight grip on compliance.
Key Provisions of the Virtual Assets Law
The 2025 law lays out a clear set of rules for anyone who wants to offer cryptoârelated services in Jordan:
- Licensing requirement: All virtual asset service providers (VASPs) must obtain a licence from the Jordan Securities Commission. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence.
- Territorial scope: The law applies when a provider has a physical presence in Jordan, conducts business from Jordan, or markets services to Jordanian residents.
- AML/CFT compliance: VASPs must follow Jordanâs AntiâMoney Laundering Law No. 46 of 2007, including customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD) for politically exposed persons (PEPs), transaction monitoring, and filing suspicious activity reports with the AntiâMoney Laundering Unit (AMLU). The reporting threshold is JOD 10,000.
- Travel Rule: Providers must exchange originator and beneficiary information for transactions above the threshold, matching global standards.
- Recordâkeeping: All transaction data must be stored for at least five years.
- Exclusions: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and digitised securities are not covered by this law; they fall under the Central Bank Digital Currency framework and the securities regulator respectively.
How to Get Licensed - A StepâbyâStep Guide
For a fintech startup or an established exchange, the licensing journey looks like this:
- Preâapplication fee (JOD 5,000): Submit a short questionnaire confirming intent to operate and basic company details.
- Full application (JOD 15,000 processing fee): Provide a detailed business plan, AML policies, IT security architecture, and proof of capital.
- Operational readiness assessment (JOD 10,000): The JSC sends auditors to verify systems, conduct AML officer interviews, and test transactionâmonitoring tools.
- Licence issuance: Once approved, the licence is valid for three years, with an annual renewal fee of JOD 2,000.
The total upfront cost is roughly JOD 30,000 (about $42,250). The Jordan Securities Commission estimates most firms need 6â8 months to meet all technical and compliance requirements.
Penalties - What Happens If You Break the Rules?
Article 28 of the law is blunt: operating without a licence can land you in prison for a minimum of one year and a fine up to $141,000 (â JOD 100,000). Even minor infractions, such as failing to file a required suspiciousâactivity report, can trigger administrative fines of up to JOD 20,000.
Enforcement is carried out jointly by the Central Bank of Jordan and the JSC. Both agencies have set up a 24/7 help desk to field compliance questions, though earlyâstage user satisfaction hovers around 68 %.
Jordan vs. Its Neighbours - Where Does It Stand?
In the Middle East, regulatory approaches vary widely:
- UAE: A multiâlayered framework with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) overseeing crypto. The UAE processes over 500,000 daily crypto trades.
- Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq: Still maintain outright bans on virtual assets.
- Bahrain: Offers a lightâtouch licensing model and processed $450 million in regulated crypto volume in Q3 2025.
Jordanâs model sits in the middle. It isnât as permissive as the UAE, but itâs far less restrictive than its northern neighbours. The biggest upside is alignment with FATF standards, which should help Jordan get off the grey list. The downside is the relatively high entry cost and the fact that the regulatory regime is brandânew, meaning many firms are still figuring out how to comply.
Market Impact - What the Numbers Tell Us
Jordan has roughly 1.2 million crypto users (about 10.8 % of the population) as of August 2025. Prior to the law, 85 % of those users traded peerâtoâpeer, while only 15 % used international exchanges. Fitch Solutions predicts transaction volume could grow from $150 million in 2024 to $750 million by 2027 - a compound annual growth rate of 71 %.
However, market sentiment is mixed. A Reddit poll in September 2025 showed 62 % of respondents welcomed the clarity, but 78 % feared the licensing fees would push small operators out of business. Industry analysts say institutional investors are watching Jordan closely, but they may wait until the licensing process becomes smoother and the Central Bankâs capacity to enforce the rules strengthens.
Looking ahead, the government plans to add a DeFiâspecific supplement by Q1 2026 and a CBDC pilot by Q3 2026. If those projects roll out successfully, Jordan could carve a niche as a hub for Shariaâcompliant digital assets, leveraging its 42 Islamic financial institutions.
Quick Checklist for Crypto Entrepreneurs
- Confirm you need a licence from the Jordan Securities Commission.
- Set up an AML compliance officer and adopt a transactionâmonitoring solution that meets the JOD 10,000 reporting threshold.
- Allocate at least JOD 30,000 for licence fees and an additional 6â8 months for system integration.
- Prepare to file regular reports with the AntiâMoney Laundering Unit and keep records for five years.
- Monitor upcoming DeFi regulations and CBDC pilot announcements to stay ahead of compliance changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of crypto businesses need a licence?
Any entity that offers exchange, wallet, custodial, or paymentâgateway services to Jordanian residents must obtain a licence from the Jordan Securities Commission. Mining operations that sell power or hashârate to local users also fall under the scope.
Can I trade Bitcoin on an overseas exchange without a licence?
If you are a Jordanian resident accessing a foreign platform, you are still considered a user within the territory. The law does not require a licence for individual traders, but the exchange must be licensed if it targets Jordanian customers.
What are the AML reporting thresholds?
Transactions equal to or exceeding JOD 10,000 trigger a mandatory suspiciousâactivity report to the AMLU. The same threshold applies for the travelârule data exchange between VASPs.
How long does the licensing process take?
The Jordan Securities Commission estimates 6â8 months from initial application to final approval, assuming all documentation is complete and the AML systems pass the technical audit.
What penalties could I face for nonâcompliance?
Operating without a licence can lead to imprisonment for at least one year and a fine up to $141,000. Lesser breaches, like missing an AML filing, may incur administrative fines of up to JOD 20,000 per occurrence.
Wow this new Jordan crypto law is a game changer đđ„ stay tuned for big moves đ
Great overview! The licensing fees might be a hurdle, but having clear rules will attract serious investors. Let's keep an eye on how the JSC streamlines the process.
Absolutely, the clarity is refreshing. For newcomers, it means less uncertainty and more confidence to build on Jordan's emerging fintech scene.
Honestly the fees are insane and the bureaucracy will kill any startup fast
You missed the fee detail.
Indeed, the preâapplication cost of JODâŻ5,000 is nonâtrivial for earlyâstage ventures, and the subsequent processing fees compound the financial burden.
Hey folks, this is super exciting! Jordan finally joining the crypto wave means we might see some regional collaborations soon. Can't wait to see local exchanges pop up and create jobs đ
Meh, another regulation. They'll probably add more red tape later.
Yo, let me break this down for ya. Jordan used to be totally antiâcrypto, remember those circulars back in 2014? Then the FATF grey list hit and they had to rethink everything. So now we got Law No. 14 of 2025, which is basically a licensing regime. All VASPs need a license from the JSC or face jail time, that's serious. The fees are kinda high â JODâŻ5k just to start, then another 15k for the full app, plus audits and yearly renewals. You also gotta keep records for five years, which means more storage cost. The AML thresholds are JODâŻ10k, so any big move triggers reports. If you slip, you could be fined up to JODâŻ20k or even prison. On the bright side, it aligns Jordan with FATF, so maybe they get off the grey list soon. Market volume could jump from $150âŻM to $750âŻM by 2027 if things go smooth. But small players worry the entry barrier will push them out. Also, there are upcoming DeFi rules and a CBDC pilot, so stay tuned. Overall, it's a mixed bag â more legitimacy but also more bureaucracy. If you're a startup, start building your compliance stack now, because the audit will be harsh. And if you're a trader, you might still use overseas exchanges, but the local ecosystem will grow faster. Bottom line: Jordan is finally stepping into the crypto world, but you better be ready for the paperwork.
Excellent summary, Sonu! For anyone tackling the licensing, start drafting your AML policies early and allocate budget for the audit phase. Having a solid compliance officer will smooth the JSC assessment.
Reading through this, Iâm reminded of the balance between innovation and regulation. It's like walking a tightrope â too much restriction stifles growth, too little invites risk. Jordan seems to be seeking that middle ground.
Indeed, the middleâground approach is prudent đ. Formal compliance can coexist with vibrant fintech ecosystems when regulators provide clear guidance. đ