Central Bank of Bahrain develops rules for issuing stablecoins

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has begun developing regulatory rules for the issuance of stablecoins - cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of traditional assets such as national currencies. The implementation of these rules is expected to reduce transaction costs and expand financial inclusion for the population. In addition, the CBB plans to use blockchain solutions to monitor transactions conducted by cryptocurrency companies, which will increase control and transparency in this sector.

The drafting of those rules is now complete — though the published framework itself says nothing about blockchain-based monitoring of crypto firms or about the cost of transactions. In July 2025 the regulator published the Stablecoin Issuance and Offering (SIO) Module in Volume 6 of the CBB Rulebook, and as of August 2026 this is the binding regime. Nobody may issue, offer or market a stablecoin in or from Bahrain without a CBB licence. Approved coins are single-currency ones backed by the Bahraini dinar, the US dollar or another fiat currency the CBB accepts, and reserve assets must at all times cover at least the par value of the coins in circulation. Issuance, minting and burning, supply control, reserve management and custody are all treated as regulated activities.

For businesses, this opens up new prospects in the field of digital payments and financial services, allowing companies to offer customers more stable and predictable cryptocurrency solutions.

The regime has also stopped being theoretical. In June 2026 the CBB granted its first stablecoin issuer licence to AX Coin Bahrain, which had received in-principle approval in January 2026. Applicants now have a precedent to work from, and a clear idea of how long the road from filing to licence takes.

'The introduction of such rules will require companies to carefully comply with new regulations and standards set by the CBB. This includes not only compliance with the requirements for the issuance and circulation of stablecoins, but also the implementation of monitoring and reporting systems that meet anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) standards. Companies must be prepared to adapt their business models and processes to meet new regulatory requirements'

By contacting us, you will receive:

• Consultation on compliance with the new rules for the issuance and circulation of stablecoins, including an analysis of CBB requirements and the development of a strategy for their implementation.
• Assessing the impact of new regulations on your business, as well as developing adaptation measures to minimize risks and take advantage of new opportunities.
• Support for licensing and interaction with the regulator, including the preparation of the necessary documentation and representing your company's interests before the CBB.
• Development and implementation of AML / CFT programs in accordance with the regulator's requirements, including staff training and the creation of internal control procedures.
• Technological consulting on the integration of blockchain solutions to ensure transparency and traceability of transactions in accordance with the new CBB standards.