Crypto & Digital Assets · UAE

Is crypto legal in UAE? Regulation & rules (2026)

RegulatedDubai Law No. (4) of 2022 on the Regulation of Virtual Assets, administered by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), supported by the Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023 and seven binding Rulebooks (four compulsory + activity-specific). VARA exercises powers delegated from the federal Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) under Cabinet Resolution No. 111/112 of 2022.Country index 88 · A

UAE shaded by its crypto & digital assets status

Dubai operates a comprehensive, in-force virtual-asset licensing regime under VARA covering all of Dubai (mainland and free zones) except the DIFC, which is regulated separately by the DFSA. Any entity providing virtual-asset services in or from Dubai must hold a VARA licence for each specific activity (exchange, broker-dealer, custody, lending, management, advisory, transfer/settlement, issuance), and since the May 2025 'Version 2.0' Rulebook update must meet detailed capital, governance, technology and market-conduct standards. A VARA licence also auto-registers the VASP with the federal SCA, allowing UAE-wide operation under a September 2024 cooperation agreement.

Timeline - major decisions & events

May 21, 2026decision

Crypto Exchange Kraken Secures VARA License to Launch in DubaiDecrypt ↗

UAE - other topics

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Last verified 5/23/2026 · Orientation, not legal advice - verify against the primary sources linked above. Explore the full world map →