Regulatory AlertsLebanon: crypto & digital assets regulation
RestrictedLebanon: Crypto prohibited for institutions; no formal VASP regime; high risk
- Lead regulator
- Banque du Liban (BDL)
- Core law
- BDL Circular No. 750 (2026) / CMA Prohibition (2018)
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Prohibited for licensed institutions
- Data protection
- No specific law identified
- Sandbox
- No
Lebanon maintains a restrictive stance. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and Banque du Liban (BDL) explicitly prohibit licensed institutions from issuing, marketing, or trading electronic money (including Bitcoin) due to volatility and lack of guarantees. While BDL Circular 750 (2026) regulates broader electronic banking operations, it does not establish a licensing framework for crypto-specific activities like exchanges or custody for the general public. The environment is characterized by regulatory prohibition for traditional finance entities and a lack of clear legal status for standalone crypto businesses.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | Prohibited[1] Trading prohibited for licensed institutions | — | — | BDL / CMA |
| Custody of client assets | Prohibited[1] Custody linked to prohibited e-money activities | — | — | BDL / CMA |
| Token issuance / public offering | Prohibited[1] Issuance of electronic money prohibited | — | — | CMA |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | Prohibited[1] Trading services prohibited for licensed entities | — | — | BDL / CMA |
| Stablecoin issuance | Prohibited[1] Falls under electronic money prohibition | — | — | CMA |
| Crypto payments acceptance | Uncertain[2]verify with regulator Circular 750 regulates e-banking but excludes crypto | — | — | BDL |
| Mining / staking services | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regulation found | — | — | — |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific regulation found | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2026-01-09BDL Circular No. 750 — Amended Decision 7548 to regulate electronic banking operations, maintaining strict separation from crypto.[2]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Verify BDL Circular 750 complianceEnsure operations do not fall under prohibited electronic money definitions.
- 2Avoid licensed institution involvementDo not use Lebanese banks or licensed entities for crypto services.
- 3Assess CMA prohibition scopeConfirm no marketing or trading of e-money occurs.
- 4Consult local legal counselObtain advice on personal vs. corporate liability for crypto activities.
Sources
- Prohibition of Electronic Money · 2018-02-12
- Electronic Banking and Financial Operations · 2026-01-09