Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has published a new, globally framed rulebook to regulate and codify digital asset issuance. The framework aims to give issuers, service providers and investors clearer legal and compliance guidance.
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has released rules allowing crypto exchange-traded derivatives with retail access under suitability checks, margin requirements and leverage caps.
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has granted Xbase Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services LLC, part of RELM Group, a virtual asset service provider license to operate crypto brokerage services. The approval comes as VARA continues regulatory expansion despite regional instability.
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has ordered entities linked to KuCoin to stop all unlicensed crypto activities, saying the exchange is not authorized to provide services to Dubai residents. The directive signals stricter enforcement of local licensing rules.
Ripple senior executive Reece Merrick announced a new XRP Ledger capability tied to Dubai’s real estate tokenization initiative, aiming to enable on‑ledger trading of tokenized property. The move may broaden XRP’s utility and attract new liquidity to the network.
Animoca Brands received a VARA license on Feb. 5 allowing it to serve institutional and qualified investors in Dubai, marking a regulatory milestone for its Middle East expansion.
Dubai Insurance has launched a crypto wallet powered by Zodia Custody, allowing policyholders to pay premiums and receive claim payouts in digital assets. It’s the first UAE insurer to enable on‑chain premium and claims flows, aiming to boost transparency and settlement speed.
UAE authorities have moved to outlaw privacy-focused cryptocurrencies including XMR, DASH and ZEC and introduced tighter stablecoin regulations to boost transparency. The measures aim to reassure institutional investors while increasing compliance for exchanges and issuers.
Dubai's DFSA has declared privacy-focused tokens incompatible with global compliance and is shifting to a firm-led token suitability framework while defining clearer stablecoin categories. The move explicitly flags tokens such as DASH, XMR and ZEC and raises compliance obligations for local crypto firms.
Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has launched a service that enables charities in the emirate to accept donations in cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets. The move, announced Dec. 20, 2025, aims to broaden funding channels and modernize charitable giving.