diff --git a/creator-keys/tests/pause_blocks_registration.rs b/creator-keys/tests/pause_blocks_registration.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91539ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/creator-keys/tests/pause_blocks_registration.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+//! Regression test: pause must block new registrations but not existing reads.
+
+mod contract_test_env;
+use contract_test_env::{
+    register_creator_keys, register_test_creator, test_env_with_auths,
+    set_key_price_for_tests, set_protocol_fee_bps,
+};
+use creator_keys::ContractError;
+use soroban_sdk::{testutils::Address as _, Address};
+
+#[test]
+fn pause_blocks_new_creator_registration() {
+    let env = test_env_with_auths();
+    let (client, _) = register_creator_keys(&env);
+    set_key_price_for_tests(&env, &client, 100i128);
+    set_protocol_fee_bps(&env, &client, 9000u32, 1000u32);
+
+    // Pause the contract
+    client.pause();
+
+    // New registration must be rejected
+    let new_creator = Address::generate(&env);
+    let result = client.try_register_creator(&new_creator);
+    assert!(
+        result.is_err(),
+        "Registration must fail when contract is paused"
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn pause_does_not_block_existing_creator_reads() {
+    let env = test_env_with_auths();
+    let (client, _) = register_creator_keys(&env);
+    set_key_price_for_tests(&env, &client, 100i128);
+    set_protocol_fee_bps(&env, &client, 9000u32, 1000u32);
+
+    // Register creator BEFORE pause
+    let creator = register_test_creator(&env, &client);
+    let supply_before = client.get_total_key_supply(&creator);
+
+    // Pause the contract
+    client.pause();
+
+    // Existing reads must still work
+    let supply_after = client.get_total_key_supply(&creator);
+    assert_eq!(
+        supply_before, supply_after,
+        "Reads must not be blocked by pause"
+    );
+
+    // Unpausing should restore full functionality
+    client.unpause();
+    let supply_resumed = client.get_total_key_supply(&creator);
+    assert_eq!(supply_before, supply_resumed);
+}