BBK, one of Bahrain’s leading retail and corporate banks, has announced a landmark partnership with Binance, the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency exchange. Under a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), BBK will become the first bank in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to join the Binance Link Program, pending final approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
Announced during the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum Bahrain 2025, this collaboration represents a major step forward for the region’s digital finance sector. As part of the agreement, BBK will integrate Binance’s Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution directly into its mobile banking app, allowing customers to trade and manage cryptocurrencies alongside traditional accounts. Plug & Play APIs will enable seamless access without the need for separate Binance accounts, while a dedicated dashboard will provide a unified view of both digital and conventional assets.
“This partnership reflects BBK’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric digital transformation,”
said Yaser Alsharifi, Group Chief Executive of BBK.
“By embedding Binance’s capabilities into our mobile platform, we are empowering our customers with secure, convenient access to a wider range of investment opportunities.”
Tameem Al Moosawi, General Manager of Binance Bahrain, emphasized that 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 initiative aims to meet growing global demand for digital assets by enabling banks to offer crypto services at scale.
Aligned with Bahrain’s national vision to become a regional hub for digital asset trading, the partnership also supports BBK’s embedded banking strategy, which seeks to unify traditional and digital finance within one seamless platform. Once regulatory approval is secured, BBK customers will gain instant access to Binance offerings, including crypto trading and asset management, directly through the BBK Mobile App.
Sources:
Binance is pleased to announce the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) making BBK the first bank in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to integrate Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solutions through the Binance Link Program.… pic.twitter.com/AG31ntncNt
— ABONHYAN (@ABONHYANUAE) November 5, 2025