Bahrain’s Approach to Crypto Regulation: Insights from the Finance Minister

As cryptocurrency continues to evolve, Bahrain is positioning itself as a forward-thinking hub for digital assets. With a strong commitment to regulating the sector, the country is balancing financial innovation with the need for investor protection. In a recent parliamentary session, Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa outlined Bahrain’s approach to creating a stable regulatory environment. This legal framework not only provides confidence for investors but also addresses the risks associated with digital currencies, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and financial oversight.

Bahrain’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in cryptocurrency regulation are evident in the ongoing updates made by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) to its regulations. These updates ensure that the country’s legal frameworks remain relevant and responsive to the fast-paced changes within the financial sector. Shaikh Salman noted that Bahrain is one of the few countries to implement specific regulations governing cryptocurrencies, setting it apart in a region where regulatory clarity is still developing.

“Bahrain is among the few countries with specific regulations governing cryptocurrencies,” Shaikh Salman stated. “The banking and financial sector is the largest sector in our economy and we remain at the forefront of financial innovation.”

However, with innovation comes inherent risk, and the minister made it clear that it’s crucial for investors to be fully aware of these risks when engaging in the cryptocurrency market. “With any investment that carries risks, investors must be made fully aware of them,” he emphasized.

The government is also focused on mitigating the risks that digital assets pose, especially in relation to cybersecurity. Shaikh Salman assured MPs that the regulatory framework in Bahrain provides an additional layer of security by overseeing licensed entities. He further explained that while risks exist, they are significantly reduced compared to dealing with unregulated entities abroad.

“The legal framework ensures oversight over licensed entities, offering a layer of security,” he said. “While risks remain, the situation is far better than dealing with unregulated entities from abroad.”

An important distinction was made by Shaikh Salman between digital currencies issued by central banks and private cryptocurrencies. For instance, the “digital dinar,” which is pegged to the Bahraini dinar, serves as an example of a regulated digital currency that the government is developing. In contrast, cryptocurrencies are not tied to any national currency.

“The ‘digital dinar’ is an example of a regulated digital currency, as it is pegged to the Bahraini dinar. However, cryptocurrencies are not tied to any national currency,” he explained.

In addition to discussing cryptocurrencies, Shaikh Salman addressed the ongoing discussions at the GCC level regarding a unified Gulf currency. While these conversations are still in progress, several initiatives have been introduced to facilitate direct and instant payment settlements between GCC countries. For now, however, the US dollar remains the primary global reserve currency.

“Several initiatives have been adopted to facilitate direct and instant payment settlements between GCC countries,” he shared. “However, for now, the US dollar remains the primary currency in global reserves and the US economy continues to be the world’s largest.”

Turning to Bahrain’s broader economic goals, Shaikh Salman highlighted the government’s efforts to attract investment through the launch of the Government Land Investment Platform in 2022. This platform centralizes the country’s government-owned land, making it easier for investors to access and bid on strategic projects. The initiative is a key component of Bahrain’s Vision 2030, which aims to ensure sustainability, competitiveness, and fairness in all aspects of the country’s economy.

“This platform optimises the use of government assets and embodies the principles of Vision 2030 by ensuring sustainability, competitiveness and fairness,” Shaikh Salman explained. “It provides transparency and allows investors to compete for strategic projects that drive economic development.”

He also noted that this initiative has sparked significant interest from the private sector, with several projects already underway on government-owned land. The transparency offered by the platform ensures that the best projects will be selected, providing promising opportunities for Bahrain’s citizens.

“The government is committed to offering land transparently, ensuring that the best projects are developed to create promising opportunities for Bahraini citizens,” he added.

Shaikh Salman emphasized that the government is continuously modernizing systems to streamline investment procedures. A specialized government team is working to update policies, reduce bureaucracy, and accelerate approval times for investment-related processes.

“There is extensive work underway across government bodies to update procedures, shorten processing times and accelerate investment-related approvals,” he said.

By fostering a regulatory environment that emphasizes innovation, stability, and transparency, Bahrain is strengthening its position as a leading financial and investment hub. The ongoing focus on digital transformation, regulatory advancements, and attracting private sector participation will be key drivers of the country’s continued economic growth.

“Bahrain’s focus on regulatory advancements, digital transformation and attracting private sector participation is expected to drive further economic growth,” Shaikh Salman concluded.

These comments were made during a weekly parliamentary session in response to questions from three MPs.