Middle East Common Law
Crypto and VASP (virtual asset service provider) operators needing a clear framework, Bahrain
The CBB Crypto Asset Module is one of the few principles based VASP (virtual asset service provider) regimes in the region, and crypto friendly local banking is genuinely available. Bahrain currently sits clear of both EU tax and FATF lists.
CBB Crypto Asset ModuleCrypto bankingFATF clear
Start setup {placement} 4 min · no card required
Corp tax
0%
Fastest setup
2 weeks
Tax treaties
45
Region
Middle East
What you'll need
- No resident director required
- Local registered office required
- Economic-substance test applies
- Minimum capital: No minimum capital
- Administrative language: English
- Legal system: Common law
Tax and treaty profile
- Corporate tax 0%
- Tax treaties 45
- VAT rate 10%
- Withholding on dividends 0%
Key treaty partners
UKFranceMalaysiaSingaporeChinaThailand
Banking and payments
- Banking takes 2 to 4 weeks with KYC
- Stripe not supported
- Wise supported
- Crypto banking available
- EMI license framework available
Considerations
If your founders or shareholders are EU or US tax residents
Bahrain triggers high CFC risk from France, Germany, the UK and the US, and is not on standard US VC term sheets. If you cannot relocate personally:
CFC trap EU/USNot on US VC sheets