Bahrain's BBK Partners with Binance to Pioneer Crypto Integration in GCC Banking

BBK, one of Bahrain’s leading retail and corporate banks, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Binance, the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem and crypto exchange, to become the first bank and entity in the GCC to join the Binance Link Program.

The partnership remains subject to final approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

The announcement, made during the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum Bahrain 2025, marks a major milestone for the region’s digital finance sector.

Under the agreement, BBK will integrate Binance’s Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution directly into its mobile banking app, enabling customers to trade and manage cryptocurrencies alongside their traditional accounts.

Using Plug & Play APIs, the feature will allow seamless access without requiring separate Binance accounts. A dedicated dashboard will offer a unified view of digital and traditional assets.

“This partnership reflects BBK’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric digital transformation,” said Yaser Alsharifi, Group Chief Executive of BBK. “By integrating Binance’s capabilities into our mobile platform, we are empowering our customers with secure, convenient access to a broader range of investment opportunities.”

Tameem Al Moosawi, General Manager of Binance Bahrain, said the collaboration “enhances financial inclusion and reinforces Bahrain’s position as a regional leader in crypto-asset innovation.”

Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance, added that the partnership aims to meet the growing global demand for digital assets by helping banks offer crypto services at scale.

The initiative aligns with Bahrain’s national vision to become a regional hub for digital asset trading and supports BBK’s embedded banking strategy, which seeks to unify traditional and digital finance within one seamless platform.

Pending regulatory approval, BBK customers will soon gain instant access to Binance’s offerings, including crypto trading and asset management, directly through the BBK Mobile App.