Over the past few months, Oman has arguably made the most decisive regulatory leap in cryptocurrency among all countries in the region-yet its path is unique. Instead of bans and restrictions, the Sultanate is integrating digital assets into the state system, simultaneously establishing both control and a technological foundation for the future.
The "Taming Bitcoin" Strategy
While many countries are trying to ban or restrict cryptocurrency mining due to high energy consumption, Oman has taken a different route. In June 2026, the government launched the national mining pool Omanhash.om. This is not just another trading platform-it is a mandatory system for all licensed mining companies in the country.
Think of it as a single state-controlled "outlet" through which all local miners must now operate. Estimates suggest that in its first phase, the pool will aggregate around 10 exahashes per second (EH/s)-one-third of Oman's estimated total capacity of roughly 30 EH/s, or about 3% of Bitcoin's global hash rate.
"Instead of fighting mining, we are embedding it into a regulated, transparent system," officials from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology explain. This approach provides oversight over miners' revenues, electricity consumption, and the flows of mined cryptocurrency. Total investment in mining infrastructure and data centers in the Salalah Free Zone has already exceeded $700 million.
The technical side of the project is being handled by Enegix Global (which has prior experience building a similar state pool in Kazakhstan) and local operator Frontier Technologies LLC.
The State-Issued "Digital Rial"
Parallel to Bitcoin mining, the Central Bank of Oman is placing its bets on its own digital currency-a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency). The key difference from Bitcoin is that it represents a direct state obligation, a digital equivalent of cash rial, rather than a private asset.
In June 2026, the Central Bank announced a tender to find an independent international consultant to assess the technical feasibility, design, and governance framework of the future digital currency. Bids close on June 28, 2026. The evaluator is expected to work independently from contractors to ensure impartiality in cybersecurity audits and compliance with international standards.
"This is not about Bitcoin. This is about modernizing the entire financial system," experts comment. The digital rial is intended to lower the cost of cross-border transfers, speed up payments, and expand access to financial services for the population. Oman is following in the wake of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are already testing their own digital currencies.
Cautious, But Not Prohibited
Despite active technological development, the Central Bank of Oman officially warns citizens: cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in the country and are not backed by the state. The regulator reminds that any transactions with them carry financial, legal, and operational risks, as well as a lack of consumer protection.
This dual message actually reflects a calculated position. The state encourages the industry (mining and blockchain infrastructure) but strictly cautions private individuals against speculating in unbacked assets.
In Summary
Oman is building a balanced system where:
1. Bitcoin mining is legalized but placed under oversight through a national pool.
2. A proprietary digital currency is being developed as a secure state-backed alternative for everyday transactions.
3. Citizens are reminded of the risks of private cryptocurrencies to protect them from losses.
This approach serves as a model for the Middle East, which is seeking a balance between innovation and security. For Oman, this is not merely a technological experiment but part of a broader strategy in the cryptocurrency and payment-processing space.