Crypto Future Saudi: What’s Really Happening with Crypto in Saudi Arabia

When we talk about the crypto future Saudi, the growing push by Saudi Arabia to become a global hub for digital assets and blockchain innovation. Also known as Saudi crypto adoption, it’s not just hype—it’s state-backed strategy. Unlike countries that ban crypto, Saudi Arabia is building infrastructure, writing rules, and inviting global exchanges to set up shop. The Vision 2030 plan isn’t just about oil—it’s about becoming the financial brain of the Middle East, and crypto is a big part of that.

Behind the scenes, the Saudi Central Bank, the official financial regulator overseeing digital currency and payment systems in the kingdom. Also known as SAMA, it has been quietly testing a digital riyal and working with the IMF on crypto compliance. Meanwhile, the Saudi Securities Commission, the agency that governs financial markets and has started licensing crypto platforms. Also known as CMA, it has approved over a dozen crypto service providers since 2023. That’s not accidental. It’s a deliberate shift from cash-heavy markets to tokenized assets.

What does this mean for traders and investors? If you’re in Saudi Arabia, you can now legally buy Bitcoin through licensed exchanges like Binance Saudi and Rain. You can also trade crypto futures under regulated conditions—something still banned in many countries. But here’s the catch: there’s no anonymous trading. KYC is strict, and taxes are coming. The government is already mapping crypto transactions to the Common Reporting Standard, so hiding your holdings isn’t an option.

And it’s not just about trading. Saudi funds are pouring money into blockchain startups, NFT marketplaces, and even crypto mining farms powered by cheap solar energy. The country’s desert sun and low electricity costs make it one of the most efficient places in the world to mine Bitcoin. Companies are building data centers in NEOM, the futuristic city project, with crypto mining baked into the design. This isn’t speculative—it’s infrastructure.

But there’s a dark side too. Some unlicensed platforms still operate in the shadows, promising impossible returns. The government has cracked down hard on these, freezing accounts and chasing operators. If you’re trading outside approved channels, you’re taking real legal risks. The message is clear: play by the rules, or get out.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, verified cases of how crypto is changing hands in Saudi Arabia—from how Iranian miners are using Saudi networks to bypass sanctions, to how local traders are using decentralized exchanges like KyberSwap and Velodrome Finance to avoid local banking limits. You’ll see reviews of exchanges that actually work there, breakdowns of crypto regulations, and warnings about scams that prey on newcomers. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what’s happening now, on the ground, in the kingdom.

Asher Draycott
Oct
28

Saudi Crypto Regulation Development and Future: What’s Legal, What’s Coming in 2025

Saudi Arabia's crypto rules are changing fast in 2025. While individuals can trade crypto, banks are restricted. New regulations are coming, CBDC testing is underway, and blockchain innovation is booming under Vision 2030.