Policy Reference

United Arab Emirates

Explore UAE crypto laws, including VARA, ADGM and FSRA rules, exchange licensing, taxes, AML compliance, and digital asset regulation.

Capital Market Authority, CMA, formerly SCA; VARA for Dubai virtual assets
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Law database

12 law profiles

Law / Bill
Draft Intro Committee Passed Enacted Effective
ADGM FSRA Regulation of Virtual Asset Activities in ADGM FSRA VA Guidance [10 June 2025] Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Guidance – Regulation of Virtual Asset Activities in ADGM [10 June 2025]

ADGM FSRA guidance and rulebook framework for virtual asset activities in ADGM, covering FSP authorisation, Accepted Virtual Assets, custody, AML/CFT, technology governance, disclosures, MTFs and market conduct.

Last action: Apr 29, 2026 - Staking framework finalised

Profile Guidance – Regulation of Virtual Asset Activities in ADGM
UAE ADGM Digital Assets Framework FSMR 2015; FSRA Digital Assets Guidance and Rulebooks Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

ADGM FSRA Digital Assets Regulatory Framework

ADGM’s FSRA regulates digital-asset activities through an active framework covering Virtual Assets, FRTs, Digital Securities, derivatives, funds, custody, trading venues, and staking.

Last action: Apr 29, 2026 - Staking framework finalized

Profile ADGM Digital Assets
VARA Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook VARA_EN_293_VER20250519 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook

Dubai VARA rulebook governing business issuance of virtual assets, including Category 1 licensed issuances, Category 2 distributor-led issuances, exempt VAs, whitepapers, risk disclosures, and supervision powers.

Last action: Apr 9, 2026 - Official guidance published

Profile Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook
DFSA Crypto Token Regime DIFC Law No.4/2022; DFSA GEN 3A; RMI328/2022; RMI423/2025 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

DFSA Crypto Token regulatory framework for financial services activities involving Crypto Tokens in or from the DIFC

DFSA regime for Crypto Token activities in or from DIFC. Effective Nov. 1, 2022 and updated Jan. 12, 2026, it relies on firm-led token suitability, DFSA-reviewed fiat stablecoins, authorisation, disclosure, custody and conduct safeguards.

Last action: Feb 12, 2026 - Crypto Token FAQs published

Profile Crypto Token Regulation
UAE Cabinet Decision No. 112/2022: VARA Virtual Asset Delegation Cabinet Decision No. 112/2022 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Cabinet Decision No. 112/2022 On Delegating Certain Competencies related to the Regulation of Virtual Assets

Delegates specified federal virtual-asset regulatory powers to Dubai’s VARA for Dubai and its non-DIFC free zones, including VASP licensing, supervision, data-protection checks, fees, penalties and grievances.

Last action: Jan 1, 2026 - CMA continuity confirmed

Profile VARA: Cabinet Decision No. 112/2022
UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022 Virtual Assets Regulation Cabinet Resolution No. (111) of 2022 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Cabinet Resolution No. (111) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets and the Related Service Providers

UAE federal resolution establishing the regulatory perimeter for virtual asset activities and VASPs, including licensing, AML/CFT, cybersecurity, local-authority coordination and penalties.

Last action: Jan 1, 2026 - Capital Market Authority transition

Profile UAE Legislation Portal — Cabinet Resolution No. 111/2022
Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai

Dubai’s 2022 Virtual Assets Law established VARA and a permit-based regime for virtual asset services across Dubai, including free zones, excluding the DIFC.

Last action: Jun 19, 2025 - Current VARA Regulations version effective

Profile Law No. (4) of 2022 official English text
VARA Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023 VARA Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023

Dubai’s VARA framework for VASP licensing, VA issuance, AML/CFT, market conduct, marketing, supervision and enforcement. Current rulebook version is effective from 19 June 2025.

Last action: Jun 19, 2025 - Current version effective

Profile VARA Regulations 2023 rulebook
CBUAE Payment Token Services Regulation Central Bank Circular No. 2/2024 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Payment Token Services Regulation

CBUAE Circular No. 2/2024 regulates stablecoin-style payment tokens in the UAE through licensing/registration for issuance, conversion, custody and transfer, with restrictions on foreign tokens, algorithmic stablecoins and privacy tokens.

Last action: Jun 14, 2025 - Reported transition end

Profile CBUAE Rulebook: Payment Token Services Regulation
UAE VARA Marketing Regulations 2024 VARA_EN_419_VER1 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Regulations on the Marketing of Virtual Assets and Related Activities 2024

Dubai VARA rules for marketing virtual assets and VA activities in or targeting the UAE, effective Oct. 1, 2024; replaces 2022 administrative orders and sets disclosure, licensing, event, platform and fine provisions.

Last action: Oct 1, 2024 - 2022 orders superseded

Profile VARA Rulebook: Marketing Regulations 2024

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