RegAlertLebanon: fintech & payments regulation — 2026-08
RegulatedBDL licenses EPSPs under Decision 13790; CMA regulates securities; no open banking framework
Frozen snapshot — the guide as it stood at the end of 2026-08. See the live guide for the current state.
Lebanon's fintech landscape is dominated by the Central Bank (BDL), which regulates electronic payments and money dealers. The 2026 Basic Decision 13790 established a specific licensing regime for Electronic Payment Services Providers (EPSPs), requiring significant capital. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) oversees securities and investment activities. Open banking and crypto-assets lack a dedicated statutory framework.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment processing / gateway | LicenceEPSP License[1] Mandatory for non-bank payment processing | LBP 50 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
| E-money & wallet issuance | LicenceEPSP License[1] Wallet issuance falls under EPSP framework | LBP 50 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
| Domestic money transfer | LicenceEPSP License[1] Domestic transfers require EPSP license | LBP 50 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
| Cross-border remittance | LicenceEPSP License[1] Cross-border remittance requires EPSP license | LBP 50 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
| Agent network | LicenceEPSP License[1] Agent networks must be licensed under EPSP | LBP 50 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
| Open banking / account information | Uncertainverify with regulator No open banking framework exists | — | — | — |
| Foreign-exchange services | LicenceMoney Dealer License[2] Category A exchange house license | LBP 10 billion | — | Banque du Liban |
New — what changed recently
- 2026-01-09Basic Decision No. 13790 — Established licensing framework for Electronic Payment Services Providers (EPSPs)[1]
- 2025-05-23Central Decision No. 13718 — Amended wallet operator requirements for segregation and transaction caps[3]
- 2024-02-06CMA Announcement No. 97 — Updated fee schedules for licensing and registration[4]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Secure BDL EPSP LicenseObtain license under Decision 13790 with LBP 50 billion capital
- 2Register with CMARegister securities activities with Capital Markets Authority
- 3Implement AML ComplianceEstablish AML/CFT framework compliant with BDL regulations
- 4Segregate Customer FundsSet up segregated accounts for customer assets as mandated
Sources
- Electronic Payment Services Providers · 2026-01-09
- Capital of Money Dealers · 2022-05-17
- Electronic Banking and Financial Operations · 2025-05-23
- Update of CMA Fees and Commissions and Cancellation of Announcement No. 95 (23 May 2023) · 2024-01-31