Amman, July 15, 2025

In a proactive step to keep pace with both local and global digital transformations, the Association of Banks in Jordan, in collaboration with “Manssa,” organized a specialized awareness workshop titled “Embracing the Future: Digital Assets Awareness.” The workshop witnessed notable participation of more than 85 attendees from member banks, particularly compliance officers, risk managers, treasury, and investment specialists.

The workshop was held in the context of the issuance of the Virtual Assets Law No. (14) of 2025, which provides a modern legislative framework for regulating the digital assets sector in Jordan. The law aims to enhance transparency, compliance, and consumer protection.

The session was delivered by digital affairs expert Mr. Bashar Zeidan, and covered the following key topics:

• Fundamentals of Digital Assets – Clarifying distinctions between cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
• Blockchain Applications in Banking – Practical use cases such as automating Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, transaction settlement via smart contracts, and fraud reduction through immutable ledger technologies.
• Compliance and Regulation – Analysis of banks’ obligations under the new law, including digital solutions for monitoring wallets and conducting proactive analysis of suspicious activities.
• New Banking Opportunities – Emerging business models such as digital asset custody services, asset-backed financing, and regulated trading platforms (DEXs).
• Global Case Studies – Leading practices from banks such as JPMorgan, HSBC, and Santander in using blockchain for liquidity management and issuance of digital bonds.
• Analytical Reading of the Jordanian Virtual Assets Law 2025 – Explanation of regulatory provisions, roles of oversight authorities (the Securities Commission and the Central Bank), and licensing and financial compliance mechanisms.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Maher Al-Mahrouq, Director General of the Association of Banks, welcomed participants from member banks and stressed the importance of the workshop in preparing Jordanian banks for the coming phase. He highlighted that the workshop comes at a time when the world is witnessing accelerated financial and technological shifts, with digital assets becoming an integral part of the global economic system.

Dr. Al-Mahrouq stated that the Virtual Assets Law represents an important step in regulating this sector, opening new horizons for banks within a balanced regulatory framework that promotes innovation while safeguarding financial stability. He emphasized that the workshop marks a practical step toward building a more prepared Jordanian banking system, aligned with global developments, and provides an opportunity to understand both the legal obligations and banking opportunities inherent in the digital assets space.

The workshop also underscored the importance of strengthening the institutional capacities of Jordanian banks in managing digital assets—particularly in compliance and risk management—and their role in leading financial innovation. It further highlighted the need for trained legal and technical personnel to effectively engage with this new reality.

In conclusion, participants reaffirmed the continuation of awareness efforts through future in-depth sessions, including hands-on training and the development of tailored digital banking solutions. These initiatives aim to reinforce Jordan’s position as a regional hub for innovation in financial technology and digital assets.