18 August 2026 · VARA Licensing
VARA Crypto Licensing
To run a virtual-asset business in Dubai you need a licence from VARA, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority established under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022. VARA licenses and supervises virtual-asset service providers across Dubai, with activity categories covering advisory, broker-dealer, custody, exchange, lending and borrowing, management and investment, and transfer and settlement. The DIFC sits outside VARA under the DFSA, Abu Dhabi's ADGM under the FSRA, and the SCA regulates at federal level. So the first two questions for any crypto venture are which jurisdiction and regulator, and which licence category fits the activity. Operating unlicensed is a regulatory risk, not a shortcut, so licence before you launch.
Exiloz Management & Tax Consultant · Dubai-based FTA-focused advisory · VAT, corporate tax & accounting
What VARA is
Dubai's virtual-asset authority.
- Established under Dubai Law 4 of 2022.
- Licenses virtual-asset service providers.
- Supervises across Dubai.
- Excludes the DIFC free zone.
License by activity
Match the licence to what you do.
- Advisory and broker-dealer.
- Custody and exchange.
- Lending and borrowing.
- Management, investment, transfer, settlement.
Who regulates where
Jurisdiction decides the regulator.
- Dubai (excl. DIFC): VARA.
- DIFC: DFSA.
- ADGM: FSRA.
- Federal onshore: SCA.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
For crypto licensing in Dubai.
Do I need a licence to run crypto in Dubai?
Yes. A virtual-asset business in Dubai needs a VARA licence in the correct activity category before it operates.
What is VARA?
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, established under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022, which licenses and supervises virtual-asset service providers across Dubai.
What activities does VARA license?
Advisory, broker-dealer, custody, exchange, lending and borrowing, management and investment, and transfer and settlement.
Is the DIFC covered by VARA?
No. The DIFC is regulated by the DFSA, ADGM by the FSRA, and the SCA operates at federal level. VARA covers Dubai outside the DIFC.
What happens if I operate unlicensed?
It is a regulatory risk with potential enforcement, not a shortcut. Secure the licence before you launch.
Can Exiloz support licensing and compliance?
Yes. We help identify the right regulator and licence category and set up the accounting and tax compliance around it.
License before you launch
Exiloz helps you get the regulator and licence category right.