How is crypto taxed in Saudi Arabia?

Crypto tax in Saudi Arabia is mostly a business question, because the kingdom does not tax individuals' income under a personal income tax system. A private person who sells crypto at a profit faces no personal income tax return for it, as of October 2026. Companies and licensed traders are a different matter, since they fall under corporate income tax or zakat.

Is there crypto tax in Saudi Arabia for individuals?

Not under a personal income tax. PwC's Worldwide Tax Summaries, last reviewed on July 29, 2026, say there is no individual income tax regime in Saudi Arabia. Income that comes only from employment is not taxed. Other income is taxed at the level of an entity or a permanent establishment, meaning a fixed place of business.

There is no separate crypto law that adds a tax on top. No guidance from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) that deals specifically with crypto gains was found for this guide. Non-residents who earn Saudi-source income without a permanent establishment can face withholding tax instead, PwC notes.

How does cryptocurrency tax in Saudi Arabia work for businesses?

Businesses follow the ordinary corporate rules, whatever they trade. PwC says income tax is 20% of net adjusted profits, applied to the portion of a company that belongs to non-Saudi and non-GCC owners. The portion owned by Saudi or GCC nationals pays zakat instead, at 2.5% of the zakat base, which is roughly the entity's net worth worked out for zakat purposes.

So a company whose activity involves crypto would, in principle, include it within this system. How a particular crypto activity is classified is not set out in published rules, which is one reason firms in this area take local advice.

Does zakat apply to crypto in Saudi Arabia?

ZATCA's zakat collection rules, which apply to fiscal years starting on or after January 1, 2024, cover resident Saudi natural persons who carry on a licensed activity, sole establishments, licensed investment funds and resident companies. The guideline says the rules apply to an activity run continuously for profit under a license. Its example of a person renting out personal property without a license falls outside them.

The guideline does not mention crypto or digital assets. Religious zakat that a Muslim may choose to pay on wealth is a separate question from state collection, and the debate about crypto in Islamic law is covered in is crypto halal or haram.

Is crypto legal in Saudi Arabia?

Crypto is not banned, but it is not regulated or licensed either. A 2018 warning published by the Saudi Central Bank said virtual currencies are not regulated in the kingdom and no entity is licensed to offer them. The full picture is in is crypto legal in Saudi Arabia. For how a Gulf neighbor handles tax, see how crypto is taxed in the UAE, and for the global view, crypto tax around the world.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check ZATCA or a qualified professional for your own situation.