Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right route - a licensed UAE base for the regional market - and leads it to a compliant launch, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Egypt.
Egypt prohibits crypto - and we say so plainly. Banking Law 194 of 2020 requires prior Central Bank approval to issue, trade, promote or run crypto platforms, and no such licence has ever been granted. A large population, but a closed market. The realistic route is a licensed hub in the UAE, and we build it honestly.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Egypt in brief
Prohibited by law - the UAE as the route.
Egypt prohibits crypto activity without a licence that, in practice, does not exist. The Central Bank and Banking System Law No. 194 of 2020 - at Article 206 - makes it an offence to issue crypto-assets, trade them, promote them or operate a platform for them without prior approval from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The CBE has confirmed that no such licence has ever been granted, and it has issued repeated public warnings; penalties run to imprisonment and fines of between one and ten million Egyptian pounds. Egypt's Dar al-Ifta has also issued a religious ruling against dealing in crypto. This is a prohibition with teeth, not a licensing gap, and no one can sell you an Egyptian crypto licence.
The demand is real - Egypt has a young, large population and significant remittance flows - but the market is closed to licensed operation, and the honest advice is to say so rather than dress up a structure that breaks the law. For a business that wants to serve the wider region, the realistic route is a licensed base in a jurisdiction that regulates crypto - the UAE, under VARA, ADGM or DMCC - from which permitted, cross-border activity can run cleanly. We keep a close watch for any move by the CBE toward a framework, and position clients to respond if one appears. Until then, the structure is offshore and honest.
Egypt prohibits crypto - honestly. Law 194 of 2020 requires Central Bank approval to issue, trade or run platforms, and no licence has ever been granted.
A large market that is closed, with penalties that include prison. The route is a licensed UAE base serving the region, plus monitoring for any CBE framework.
The honest picture
The UAE hub today - monitoring for a CBE framework.
Two workstreams: a licensed UAE base that can serve the region now, and the monitoring that positions you if Egypt ever opens a regime. We are candid that Egypt itself is closed.
A licensed UAE base serves the region now; monitoring positions you if Egypt ever opens a regime.
01 - THE UAE LICENSED HUB · TODAY
VASP licence in the UAE
The working structure: a UAE company licensed by VARA, ADGM or DMCC, with the substance, AML and banking a regulated platform runs on. A real licence in a jurisdiction that welcomes the activity - not an Egyptian one, because none exists.
The working structure: a UAE company licensed by VARA, ADGM or DMCC, with the substance, AML and banking a regulated platform runs on. A real licence in a jurisdiction that welcomes the activity - not an Egyptian one, because none exists.
- ✓UAE VASP licence - VARA, ADGM or DMCC
- ✓A jurisdiction that regulates the activity
- ✓Substance, staff and banking in the hub
- ✓Serve the wider region from a supervised base
- ✓9% UAE corporate tax; 0% personal
- ✓Credibility with banks and counterparties
02 - THE EGYPT READINESS FILE
Prohibited - Law 194/2020Readiness if the CBE moves
Egypt is prohibited today under Law 194 of 2020, and the CBE has granted no licences. The readiness file keeps governance and compliance ready to convert if a framework ever opens - and keeps you clear of the current prohibition meanwhile.
Prohibited under Law 194/2020, no licence ever granted. CBE tracked - ready to move first if a framework opens.
- ✓No crypto licence granted in Egypt
- ✓Law 194/2020 prohibits it without approval
- ✓Penalties include imprisonment and fines
- ✓CBE stance and any draft framework tracked
- ✓Governance built to licence-grade anyway
- ✓Ready to move first if a regime opens
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The UAE hub operates now; the Egypt readiness file is monitoring only, because the market is prohibited. We will not build a structure that breaches Law 194.
Why Egypt
A large market, approached with clear eyes.
No licence and a legal prohibition - but one of the region's biggest populations and heavy remittance flows, if the structure is built honestly next door.
✓
A large, young market
Egypt has one of the region's biggest populations and heavy remittance flows. The demand is genuine - which is why serving it lawfully, from a licensed base, is worth doing properly.Big population and heavy remittances.
✓
The UAE, a short flight away
The UAE regulates crypto under VARA, ADGM and DMCC and sits close to Egypt. It is the natural licensed base from which to reach the region.A regulated hub close to Egypt.
✓
Honesty about the ban
Law 194 of 2020 prohibits crypto without a CBE licence that has never been granted. We say that plainly rather than sell a structure that breaks Egyptian law.No structure that breaks Law 194.
✓
A supervised, bankable base
A UAE licence gives real substance, AML standards and banking - the things counterparties accept, which an Egyptian structure cannot provide today.Real substance banks accept.
✓
Regional reach
From the UAE, permitted cross-border activity can serve the wider MENA region cleanly - with the Egyptian boundary respected.Serve MENA from the hub, cleanly.
✓
Positioned if Egypt opens
We track the CBE for any shift toward a framework, and keep clients ready to respond first - preparation now, not a scramble later.Ready to respond first.
How it compares
How Egypt differs from other routes.
Egypt is a large market closed to licensed crypto by law - the honest comparison is below.
Egypt vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Egypt | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto licence | None granted | Licensing regimes |
| Legal basis | Prohibited - Law 194/2020 | Supervised VASPs |
| Penalties | Prison and heavy fines | Regulatory conditions |
| Route | UAE hub next door | Onshore licence |
Crypto licence
EgyptNone granted
Other jurisdictionsLicensing regimes
Legal basis
EgyptProhibited - Law 194/2020
Other jurisdictionsSupervised VASPs
Penalties
EgyptPrison and heavy fines
Other jurisdictionsRegulatory conditions
Route
EgyptUAE hub next door
Other jurisdictionsOnshore licence
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Prohibited - no licence granted | 22.5% (n/a to crypto) | Approval required, never granted |
 UAE (Dubai) | VARA VASP by activity | 9% CIT · 0% personal | Substance-heavy, 3-9 months |
 Saudi Arabia | No retail regime - warned market | 20% + Zakat 2.5% | Not authorised for retail crypto |
 Turkey | CMB crypto-asset service provider (Law 7518) | 25% corporate | Licensing regime from 2024-25 |
EgyptLicense typeProhibited - no licence granted
Taxation22.5% (n/a to crypto)
RequirementsApproval required, never granted
UAE (Dubai)License typeVARA VASP by activity
Taxation9% CIT · 0% personal
RequirementsSubstance-heavy, 3-9 months
Saudi ArabiaLicense typeNo retail regime - warned market
Taxation20% + Zakat 2.5%
RequirementsNot authorised for retail crypto
TurkeyLicense typeCMB crypto-asset service provider (Law 7518)
Taxation25% corporate
RequirementsLicensing regime from 2024-25
Doing it properly
What the compliant structure contains.What the compliant structure contains.
Egypt is prohibited, so the licensed base sits in the UAE - built to a real regime, with the Egyptian boundary respected. The checklist below is what we build.
01
UAE operating company - the licensed vehicle in VARA, ADGM or DMCC that holds the permission.
02
VASP licence by activity - broking, exchange, custody or advisory, scoped to what you do.
03
Substance in the hub - office, qualified staff and directors the regulator expects.
04
AML/CFT programme - KYC, monitoring and reporting to UAE and FATF standards.
05
Banking file - hub accounts arranged on full disclosure, matched to the flows.
06
Egyptian counsel - a read on the Law 194 boundary and what cross-border contact is permitted.
07
Boundary discipline - a documented line so nothing breaches the Egyptian prohibition.
08
Governance - ownership disclosed to UBOs, with fit-and-proper management.
09
Regulatory monitoring - the CBE tracked for any framework, the file updated as it moves.
10
Custody and systems documentation - wallet architecture described to licence standards.
01
UAE company in VARA, ADGM or DMCC.
02
VASP licence scoped to your activity.
03
Substance - office, staff, directors.
04
AML/CFT to UAE and FATF standards.
05
Hub banking on full disclosure.
06
Egyptian counsel on the Law 194 line.
07
A documented boundary, respected.
08
Ownership disclosed to UBOs.
09
CBE monitoring for any framework.
10
Custody and systems documentation.
Reflects Banking Law 194 of 2020 and UAE licensing practice as of 2026. Egypt has granted no crypto licence - in writing, not in small print. The licensed base is in the UAE.Law 194/2020 + UAE practice, as of 2026. No Egyptian licence granted.
How it works
From first call to a compliant structure.
01
Strategy and honesty
The real Egyptian status, the Law 194 boundary, and the regional reach you need - fixed in writing before anything is set up.Status, the Law 194 line, reach - in writing.
02
The UAE base
The VARA, ADGM or DMCC company and VASP licence - the regulated vehicle built to scope.The company and VASP licence, to scope.
03
Compliance architecture
AML/CFT programme, substance, custody and governance - assembled to the hub regulator's standards.AML, substance, custody, governance.
04
Banking and operations
Hub accounts arranged on disclosure; the business live on rails that hold, boundary intact.Hub accounts that hold, boundary intact.
05
Monitor and convert
The CBE tracked - the readiness file moves first if Egypt opens a framework.First if Egypt opens a framework.
Quick facts
Crypto licenceNone granted
BasisBanking Law 194/2020
AuthorityCentral Bank (CBE)
StatusProhibited without approval
PenaltiesPrison + EGP 1-10m fines
RouteUAE licensed hub
Corporate tax22.5%
UAE hub tax9% · 0% personal
Egypt is a large market that is closed to licensed crypto. The honest product is a licensed UAE base that serves the region - plus monitoring for any CBE framework.
On the ground in Egypt
Run from our Dubai office, with Egyptian counsel.
Prifinance - Egypt desk
Cairo · Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
01
Status and Egyptian counsel
The honest read on Law 194 of 2020 - what it prohibits, what the penalties are, and where the boundary sits for cross-border work.The Law 194 boundary, in writing.
02
The UAE licensed hub
A VARA, ADGM or DMCC VASP licence - the regulated base that serves the region, a short flight from Cairo.VARA, ADGM or DMCC - a short flight.
03
Banking and substance
Hub accounts on full disclosure and the office, staff and governance a regulator expects - the substance that makes it real.Real, disclosed, bankable.
04
CBE framework monitoring
The Central Bank tracked for any move toward a regime - the readiness file updated so you can respond first.Tracked; the file updated.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Egypt.
There is no crypto-specific tax because there is no licensed crypto activity - it is prohibited. What matters is the general corporate rate and, in practice, the tax of the UAE hub where the licensed business sits.
22.5% corporate tax
Egypt's standard corporate income tax is 22.5% on company profits. It applies to ordinary business, but no crypto business can be licensed to earn under it.Egypt's standard rate on profits.
No crypto-specific regime
There is no VDA tax or crypto licence fee, because the activity is prohibited under Law 194 of 2020. Any crypto model is structured in the hub, not in Egypt.Because the activity is prohibited.
The UAE hub: 9%
The licensed base pays UAE corporate tax at 9% above the threshold, with 0% personal income tax - the numbers that actually apply to the operating company.Where the operating company sits.
VAT at 14%
Egyptian VAT runs at 14% on domestic supplies - relevant only to permitted, non-crypto local activity, planned where it applies.On domestic supplies only.
Withholding on cross-border
Egyptian withholding taxes can touch cross-border payments - modelled where any permitted Egyptian counterparty is involved, so nothing is a surprise.Modelled where it applies.
Where the tax really sits
For a crypto model the meaningful tax analysis is the hub's, not Egypt's - we model both so the structure is deliberate and compliant.The hub's, not Egypt's.
Tax summary
Egypt corporate tax22.5%
Crypto-specific taxNone - prohibited
UAE hub corporate tax9%
Egyptian VAT14%
Personal income tax (UAE)0%
CurrencyEGP
*As of 2026. Crypto is prohibited in Egypt - the operating tax analysis is the UAE hub's, and we model both.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: the UAE VASP file, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a clean, compliant business.
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Egypt · prohibited
Launch your crypto project for Egypt with expert support.
Full-service setup - a licensed UAE base that serves the region, plus monitoring for any Egyptian framework.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is a UAE base the right fit for the Egyptian market?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which hub, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Egypt crypto route, answered honestly.
Can I get an Egyptian crypto licence today?+
No - Egypt prohibits crypto without prior Central Bank approval under Law 194 of 2020, and the CBE has confirmed that no such licence has ever been granted. Anyone selling an «Egyptian crypto licence» is describing something that does not exist.
Is crypto actually illegal in Egypt?+
Issuing, trading, promoting or running a platform for crypto-assets without CBE approval is an offence under Article 206 of Law 194 of 2020, carrying imprisonment and fines of one to ten million pounds. In practice, since no approval is given, it is prohibited.
What about the religious ruling?+
Egypt's Dar al-Ifta has issued a ruling against dealing in crypto. It sits alongside the legal prohibition and reinforces how closed the domestic market is - another reason the honest route is offshore.
So what is the realistic route?+
A licensed base in the UAE - under VARA, ADGM or DMCC - from which permitted, cross-border activity can serve the wider region. It is a real licence in a jurisdiction that regulates the activity, unlike Egypt.
Why the UAE rather than Egypt?+
Because the UAE regulates crypto and Egypt prohibits it. The hub gives you a genuine licence, bankable substance and credibility - none of which an Egyptian structure can offer while Law 194 stands.
Can I serve Egyptian clients from the UAE?+
That depends on the activity and how it is offered, and it is exactly where local counsel matters. We map the Law 194 boundary before you launch, and keep a documented line so nothing breaches it.
How is an Egyptian company taxed?+
The standard corporate rate is 22.5%, but no crypto business can be licensed to operate under it. The meaningful tax for a crypto model is the UAE hub's - 9% corporate, 0% personal.
Is Egypt likely to open a framework?+
There is no enacted crypto licensing regime, but regulators across the region are moving. We track the CBE for any shift and keep your structure ready to respond first if a framework appears.
What happens to my structure if the law changes?+
The readiness file is built to convert. If Egypt opens a regime, governance and compliance are already in place to apply - preparation costs little, and being first has value.
Why Egypt with you?+
Because we are honest about the prohibition and build the licensed UAE base that serves the region lawfully - to the standard banks and regulators read as real, with monitoring for whatever Egypt does next.
A licence today?+
No - Egypt has granted none under Law 194.
Is crypto illegal?+
Prohibited without CBE approval - prison and fines.
The religious ruling?+
Dar al-Ifta ruled against it too.
The realistic route?+
A licensed UAE base under VARA/ADGM/DMCC.
Why the UAE?+
It regulates crypto; Egypt prohibits it.
Serve Egyptian clients?+
Depends on activity - counsel maps the line.
Company tax?+
22.5% - but no crypto can be licensed.
Will Egypt open up?+
No regime yet - we track the CBE.
If the law changes?+
The readiness file converts to apply.
Why with us?+
Honest on the ban; we build the UAE base.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which hub, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which UAE hub and route serve the Egyptian market, and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear, honest read on the right route - not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Central Bank of Egypt or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.