UAE Unifies Crypto Regulation, Enables Dubai Licenses Nationwide

The United Arab Emirates has initiated a landmark partnership between the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to unify crypto regulation nationwide. This collaboration allows crypto firms licensed in Dubai to operate across all emirates under a single, mutual recognition licensing framework, significantly reducing regulatory duplication and administrative complexity. The partnership introduces coordinated oversight, real-time data exchange, and joint compliance monitoring to strengthen enforcement and align regulations with international standards, particularly in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF). While VARA retains jurisdiction over Dubai (excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre), the SCA assumes national oversight, creating a harmonized regulatory environment that fosters innovation and investor protection. Industry analysts view this regulatory harmonization as a pivotal move to enhance the UAE's attractiveness as a global fintech and digital asset hub, encouraging foreign investment, institutional participation, and cross-border economic cooperation. The unified framework is expected to accelerate the growth and competitiveness of the UAE’s crypto sector by providing clarity, efficiency, and a consistent legal landscape across all seven emirates.