Crypto Regulation in Saudi Arabia

Restricted

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)
0% - no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia
Capital Gains (Corporate)
20% corporate income tax (Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi-owned entities); crypto trading gains treated as taxable income for corporate entities
VAT on Crypto
No
Staking Tax
No personal tax; corporate staking income subject to 20% CIT or 2.5% Zakat
Airdrop Tax
No personal tax on airdrops; corporate recipients subject to standard CIT
Mining Tax
--

Licensing & Registration

License Required
Yes
Regulator
SAMA / CMA (Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) / Capital Market Authority (CMA))
Framework
No comprehensive crypto framework; CMA sandbox for digital assets launched 2024
License Types
--
Estimated Cost (USD)
$50,000 - $200,000 (sandbox participation estimated)
Timeline
6-12 months
Ease of Licensing
Very Complex

AML / KYC

KYC Required
Yes
Travel Rule
Yes
FATF Member
--
FATF Status
--
Suspicious Activity Reporting
--

Mining

Mining Legal
Yes
Status
Restricted
Electricity Cost ($/kWh)
$0.04
Renewable Energy
1%
Climate
Hot
Infrastructure
Good
Tax on Mining Income
20% corporate income tax (Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi-owned entities); crypto trading gains treated as taxable income for corporate entities
Notes
Very competitive electricity rates make this jurisdiction attractive for mining operations.

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

DeFi: restrictedStablecoins: restrictedNFTs: unregulatedCBDC: research - Project Aber (joint with UAE) completed pilot; domestic CBDC under study

Soken Services

Legal Opinion
Available | $5,000 - $20,000 | 14 days
Banking
Difficulty: Very Hard | Crypto-friendly banks: none listed
Min. Deposit
$10,000
Fiat Rails
SWIFT
Card Payments
Visa, Mastercard
Licensing Support
Available | $50,000 - $200,000

Sources

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Capital Market Authority
high

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crypto legal in Saudi Arabia?
Cryptocurrency is currently classified as "Restricted" in Saudi Arabia.
What is the crypto tax rate in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia, the personal capital gains tax on crypto is 0% - no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia, and the corporate tax rate is 20% corporate income tax (Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi-owned entities); crypto trading gains treated as taxable income for corporate entities.
Do I need a crypto license in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a crypto license is required in Saudi Arabia. The regulator is Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) / Capital Market Authority (CMA) under No comprehensive crypto framework; CMA sandbox for digital assets launched 2024. Estimated licensing cost: $50,000 - $200,000 (sandbox participation estimated).
Is crypto mining legal in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, crypto mining is legal in Saudi Arabia. Electricity costs approximately $0.04/kWh. Mining income is taxed at: 20% corporate income tax (Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi-owned entities); crypto trading gains treated as taxable income for corporate entities. Very competitive electricity rates make this jurisdiction attractive for mining operations.
What are the AML/KYC requirements for crypto in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, crypto businesses in Saudi Arabia must comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. The FATF Travel Rule is implemented.