BBK becomes first GCC bank to join Binance Link Program with in-app crypto services

The Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Binance Bahrain, marking a landmark step in the Gulf region’s digital finance journey. The agreement positions BBK as the first bank in the GCC to join the Binance Link Program, subject to final regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

The announcement was made during the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum Bahrain 2025, highlighting Bahrain’s growing stature as a regional hub for regulated crypto-asset innovation and financial technology.

Under the MoU, BBK will integrate Binance Bahrain’s white-label Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution directly into the BBK Mobile Banking App. Through secure, plug-and-play APIs, customers will be able to trade and manage crypto assets seamlessly within the bank’s digital ecosystem, without needing to open or manage a separate Binance account.

The integration will feature a dedicated in-app dashboard allowing customers to view their digital asset holdings, execute transactions, and manage crypto alongside traditional banking products. This unified experience brings crypto trading into the mainstream banking environment, combining convenience with institutional-grade security.

Commenting on the partnership, Yaser Alsharifi, Group Chief Executive of BBK, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer-focused digital transformation. He noted that the collaboration enables access to new asset classes while preserving the trust and reliability customers expect from BBK.

Tameem Al Moosawi, General Manager of Binance Bahrain, said the partnership expands access to digital assets through a trusted banking channel and reinforces Bahrain’s leadership in regulated crypto innovation across the region.

Catherine Chen, Head of VIP and Institutional at Binance, added that the collaboration supports growing global demand for digital assets and sets a new benchmark for institutional adoption of crypto services in the GCC.

By combining BBK’s established banking infrastructure with Binance Bahrain’s regulated crypto expertise, the partnership aligns with Bahrain’s national vision to lead in digital finance and crypto-asset trading. Once regulatory approvals are finalized, BBK customers will gain direct access to crypto trading and management services through the BBK Mobile App, accelerating the mainstream adoption of digital assets in the Kingdom.