Crypto Holding Legality in Saudi Arabia: What You Can and Can't Do in 2025

When it comes to crypto holding legality in Saudi Arabia, the rules around owning and using digital assets have shifted from outright bans to tightly controlled permission. Also known as cryptocurrency regulations in Saudi Arabia, this framework lets you hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other tokens—but only if you stay inside the lines set by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA). You’re not allowed to use crypto to pay for goods or services, and you can’t run a crypto business without a license. But owning it? That’s fine—as long as you don’t try to turn it into a payment tool or a bank substitute.

The Saudi Central Bank, the main regulator overseeing financial stability in the Kingdom. Also known as SAMA, it has made it clear that digital assets aren’t legal tender. That means no store will accept Dogecoin for coffee, and no employer can pay you in Bitcoin. But the same bank doesn’t stop you from buying crypto on international exchanges like Binance or Kraken. You can hold it in your wallet, transfer it, or even sell it later. The only catch? You must report any profits to the tax authorities. The Capital Market Authority, the agency that regulates securities and investment activities. Also known as CMA, it treats crypto as an investment asset, not currency. So if you sell Ethereum for a profit, you owe capital gains tax—just like you would with stocks.

There’s no official government wallet or crypto exchange in Saudi Arabia, but that doesn’t mean the market is frozen. Thousands of Saudis trade crypto through foreign platforms. What’s banned is anything that looks like a local crypto bank or payment processor. If a company tries to offer crypto-to-SAR conversion or run a local exchange without a license, it gets shut down fast. The government’s focus isn’t on stopping individuals—it’s on stopping unregulated financial activity. That’s why you’ll see warnings about scams and unlicensed platforms everywhere. They’re not trying to kill crypto. They’re trying to control it.

So if you’re holding crypto in Saudi Arabia, you’re not breaking the law. But you’re also not protected by it. There’s no deposit insurance, no consumer rights if an exchange freezes your funds, and no easy way to report fraud. The system trusts you to be careful. That’s why the most common advice isn’t about which coin to buy—it’s about how to store it safely, how to track your taxes, and how to avoid the next fake airdrop pretending to be official. What follows are real stories, real rules, and real mistakes people made trying to navigate this gray zone. You’ll find guides on secure wallets, tax reporting, and how to spot a scam that looks like a government offer. This isn’t about speculation. It’s about survival in a system that lets you own crypto—but doesn’t want you to rely on it.