Company Registration
2 Weeks
Local Director?
No
Bank Account Opening
4 Weeks
Travel Required?
No
How to get Cryptocurrency License in Dubai in 2026?
- Tetra Consultants assists entrepreneurs in obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Dubai in 2026. At Tetra Consultants, our team of lawyers, licensing specialists, compliance team, and accountants ensures that entrepreneurs receive end-to-end support in obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Dubai.
- Our team of experienced professionals, including licensing professionals and legal experts, will assist entrepreneurs in obtaining the necessary documents and a full cryptocurrency license from a free zone licensed by VARA, such as DMCC or DIFC.
- From initial consultation to structuring the business, to regulatory document preparation and liaising with the authorities, we assist entrepreneurs in obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Dubai in 2026.
- Furthermore, our team of experienced accountants and tax professionals will assist entrepreneurs in maintaining regulatory, tax, and financial compliance to ensure smooth operation of a crypto business in Dubai.
Legislation and regulators of cryptocurrencies in the UAE (2026)
- In 2026, regulations governing cryptocurrency and blockchain enterprises within the UAE have changed significantly. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) continues to regulate Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and provided updated FMP license guidance in 2026.
- In addition, the FSRA has put in place requirements for VASPs to comply with the travel rule and with multi-party custody and protocols to report money laundering and terrorist financing.
- The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) is now the main regulator in Dubai, with requirements that businesses wishing to set up in Dubai are required to obtain an Approval to Incorporate (ATI) and appoint a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO).
- The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) work together to develop rules on a jurisdiction-specific basis, and in 2026, VARA issued new circulars to implement travel rule interoperability between jurisdictions and establish stricter standards for custody.
Who Should Apply for a Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
- To comply with the regulatory framework, businesses looking to operate in the digital asset space in Dubai must apply for a cryptocurrency licence. Those businesses that are eligible to apply for a cryptocurrency license will fall into one of the following categories:
Cryptocurrency Exchanges:
- Companies that facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of digital assets.
Crypto Wallet Providers:
- Companies that provide secure digital wallets to store cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrency Brokers:
- Companies that act as the intermediary between buyers and sellers of digital assets.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO)/Token Issuers:
- Companies that raise funds through the offering of tokens or through the issuance of digital assets.
Cryptocurrency Payment Solutions Providers:
- Companies that allow merchants and users to make payments using cryptocurrencies.
Blockchain Technology Companies:
- Companies that develop blockchain infrastructure or other technology solutions.
Crypto Asset Management Companies:
- Companies that offer investment management or advisory services related to digital assets.
Startups and Entrepreneurs:
- New businesses creating innovative blockchain or crypto-based services.
- Although the primary regulator of these businesses is the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), they must also comply with the regulatory requirements for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) reporting through goAML.
- Additionally, some may fall under the category of companies subject to the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
What are the types of cryptocurrency licenses in Dubai in 2026?
- As of March 2026 in Dubai, VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) governs the crypto licensing framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and offers other choices through free zones such as DMCC.
- VARA provides licenses for more than eight registered activity types, and DMCC focuses on those types of operations that are not covered by a VARA License.
VARA-Regulated VASP Licenses
VARA regulated VASP licenses authorize public-facing crypto services to provide the following types of activities, but are all subject to strict compliance with applicable law.
- VA Exchange Services: Create a facility where individuals can trade virtual assets (generally must have a minimum amount of AED 1 million).
- VA Broker-Dealer Services: Buy or sell virtual assets for the account of clients.
- VA Custody Services: Hold or store virtual assets securely.
- VA Transfer and Settlement: Facilitate the transfer/settlement of virtual assets through wallets and/or other security interests.
- VA Advisory/Management: Provide advice or manage portfolios of investors with respect to virtual assets.
- VA Lending/Issuance: Borrow/lend virtual assets or issue tokens (e.g., stablecoins).
DMCC Crypto License (Non-VARA Regulated)
- DMCC provides primary categories of crypto-related (proprietary/blockchain), crypto trading only (no public market trading or exchange),
- Crypto Trading License (Proprietary Trading in Crypto Commodities): Total ownership only (no broker/service provider etc.). Required DMCC permission, AED 50,000 minimum share capital.
- Distributed Ledger Technology Services License (DLT): Blockchain/database solution, no trading/financial service, needed DMCC approval, AED 500,000 minimum share capital.
Where to get the Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
Before starting a cryptocurrency business here, you need to get a cryptocurrency license in UAE. Currently, three of the free trade zones are issuing cryptocurrency licenses in the UAE. They are:
Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC):
- DMCC free zone is an established cryptocurrency business-friendly jurisdiction in Dubai that allows companies to provide value-added services, including trading, custody, advisory, and blockchain development as Virtual Asset Service providers (VASP).
- Companies benefit from 100% foreign ownership, tax advantages, and a rapidly expanding blockchain ecosystem via the DMCC crypto centre.
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA):
- The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority allows for commercial activities supporting crypto business via a regulatory structure created in cooperation with the Securities and Commodities Authority.
- Crypto-related businesses operating within the DAFZA must have appropriate compliance measures in place, such as appointing a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and establishing travel rule compliance procedures for safe, efficient digital asset transactions.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM):
- The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the UAE offers a comprehensive regulatory regime for digital assets. It requires any crypto company to obtain an Approval to Incorporate (ATI) before they can apply for a Full Market Product (FMP) license through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
- In addition, companies must use advanced Multi-Party Computation (MPC) /Custody Protocols and have anti-money-laundering (AML) systems in place to secure their assets and comply with regulatory requirements.
What are the regulatory for obtaining a Cryptocurrency License in Dubai in 2026?
- The applicant must demonstrate the creation of a valid legal entity in Dubai, such as a company or branch office, with shareholders who are individuals or legal entities.
- The application must identify the cryptocurrency-related activities the applicant wishes to conduct, such as trading, exchange, or wallet services.
- There are minimum capital requirements that must be fulfilled, depending on the nature of the business. For example, for a Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) company, the minimum share capital for specific trading or service license requirements is AED 50,000 (AED 10,000 each for shareholders), and the minimum share capital for a general trading license is AED 1,000,000. The value of each share is AED 1,000 or higher.
Key approval factors
VARA Rulebook Compliance:
- The authorities must review whether you are compliant with each of the respective dedicated marketing, custody, and exchange rulebooks in accordance with the VARA 2026 basic rules for approval, so you have a crypto license.
Capital requirements:
- The applicant must have adequate capital for each activity, which demonstrates that the platform is viable to operate for a minimum of 6 months.
Traceability and risk factors:
- Traceability of all transactions, market cap size, price fluctuations and many other risk factor metrics will be assessed.
KYC/AML/CTF compliance:
- Know Your Customer is strictly enforced and compliance with anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and VAT disclosure is required.
Cybersecurity safeguards:
- You must prove that you have systems in place to completely safeguard your clients’ financial data and implement appropriate controls to prevent and protect against cyber-attacks.
VARA fee schedule:
- The fee schedule is a transparent document which includes all of the applicable fees for the application and annual supervision, including banking/fiat ramps and the journey map from disclosure to market readiness.
Jurisdictional Comparison: Dubai (VARA) vs. Abu Dhabi (ADGM) vs. RAK (RAK DAO) in 2026
| Aspect | Dubai (VARA) | Abu Dhabi (ADGM/FSRA) | RAK (RAK DAO/ICC) |
| Regulator | VARA: All VASPs in Dubai mainland (excl. DIFC) | FSRA: Institutional VASPs, digital securities | RAK ICC: Non-financial Web3, DAOs, NFTs |
| Legal Framework | UAE civil law; 2026 Rulebooks (Marketing/Custody) | English common law; DeFi nexus rules | DAO Law No. 2/2023; innovation sandboxes |
| Scope | 8+ activities: Exchange, custody, advisory, lending | AVAs, RWAs, custody, institutional DeFi | Blockchain dev, NFTs, token-governed entities |
| Min. Capital | AED 1M–4M+ (e.g., AED 5M derivatives) | USD 150K–2M risk-based | AED 7.5K–25K (minimal/none for startups) |
| Compliance | Travel Rule, MPC protocols, MLRO | AML/CTF/KYC; AVA listings | Lighter AML; innovation focus |
| Ownership/Office | 100% foreign; physical office | 100% foreign; office required | 100% foreign; flexi/remote OK |
| Best For | Retail VASPs/exchanges (70+ licensed) | Institutional/DeFi (40+ firms) | Startups/freelancers (agile Web3) |
| 2026 Updates | CMA mutual recognition; RWA expansion | DeFi rules (Sep 2025); RWAs | Web3/DAO focus; federal alignment |
How to get Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
In order to register your business in Australia, you must follow these steps
Step 1: Pre-requisite for a legal entity to be registered and choosing a trade name
- In order for a company to obtain a cryptocurrency license in Dubai, it must first set up a legitimate registered entity. Tetra Consultants’ experienced attorneys and license specialists will review your objectives to determine the best corporate structure (mainland vs free zone).
- Tetra Consultants’ legal and licensing specialists will also help you select and reserve an available trade name that meets legal requirements and help you register your business name with the relevant authority (i.e., Dubai Department of Economic Development or Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre) after performing background checks on shareholders and officers.
Step 2: Choosing the Free-zone jurisdiction and evaluating the licensing requirements
- To set up a cryptocurrency business in Dubai. You can choose to set up in the mainland or free zone. Tetra Consultants’ team of professionals will help you decide whether to set up in a free zone or in the mainland.
- If you opt for a free zone, you will benefit from zero currency restrictions, plus capital and profit repatriation. However, you will need to work with a local agent to trade directly with the UAE market.
- The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is the most preferred and recommended free-zone area to be considered for setting up a cryptocurrency business. As the benefits offered under this zone to new entrepreneurs are worth considering.
- Once the choice of jurisdiction is confirmed by our clients, we will carry forward the process of getting a cryptocurrency license in Dubai.
Step 3: Corporate bank account opening
- Simultaneously, our legal experts will then open a corporate bank account with a reputable financial institution.
- The minimum paid-up capital required to secure the license will be deposited into this bank account.
Step 4: Documents preparation
- Tetra Consultants’ legal experts will begin preparing the required documents for the cryptocurrency licensing application. These documents will include the business plan, financial statements, AML/CFT policy, and insurance policy, as required by local regulations.
- Since cryptocurrency trading is regulated in the same way as other financial trades in Dubai, you will be required to adhere to the extensive set of regulations concerning Anti-money laundering and Counterfeit Financial Terrorism. Our legal team and licensing specialists will take serious caution that the documents are prepared, and the formation of the entity is conducted accordingly.
- After the documents have been created for review, Tetra Consultants will supply you with prototypes. We will then email them to you for e-signature before moving forward with your license application.
Step 5: Meeting the economic substance requirements
- When conducting cryptocurrency business in Dubai free zone there are no such requirements of meeting economic substance for your entity but in the case of corporate bank account opening, there may be strict requirements to be complied with.
- In the event, the bank requires you to have economic substance like locally approved professional persons or a director, Tetra Consultants will assist you in meeting them. Tetra Consultants’ HR team will assist with the recruitment of local qualified employees to join the team, or we will extend our nominee director services to fulfil the requirement of bank account opening.
- Tetra Consultants’ HR team will undertake candidate shortlisting and preliminary interviews for key employees, including the compliance officer. Following that, you can narrow down the final list of prospects to choose who is best suited to join the team. Tetra Consultants will assist in the preparation of an employment contract with the agreed terms once the candidate has been selected.
Step 6: Submission of license application
- With these decisions made, Tetra Consultants’ legal team and licensing specialists will apply for your Dubai crypto license directly to the free zone authority or equivalent Municipality if you wish to set up elsewhere in the emirates or to the managing authority of your chosen free zone.
- All going well, your firm will receive the Dubai cryptocurrency license and will be required to start business operations within the stipulated time frame to maintain the license.
- Additionally, after submission, our accounting and tax team will manage all tax and accounting-related matters of the company, ensuring smooth and compliant operations without burdening the client.
Taxation of cryptocurrency in Dubai in 2026
- The absence of income taxes in the UAE for cryptocurrency businesses attracts entrepreneurs to this location throughout 2026. The tax regulations in the country impose no tax obligations on individuals who earn income through cryptocurrency trading or staking, or mining activities, or salary payments made in cryptocurrencies.
- Businesses must pay a corporate tax rate of 9% on profits that exceed AED 375,000 each year, although free zone entities can earn qualifying income without tax obligations.
- A 5% VAT has been in effect since 2018, yet Cabinet Decision 100/2024 (which applies to all retroactive transactions) shows that crypto exchanges between buyers and sellers and P2P transfer activities and crypto-to-crypto trades remain tax-exempt, while mining activities attract a 5% VAT charge.
- Tetra Consultants’ accounting and tax professionals deliver customized consulting services to your project through the process of establishing VAT exemption status and corporate tax eligibility, which depends on free zone advantages and trading activity types.
Why should you consider getting a Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
- Supported by the launching of the UAE Blockchain Strategy 2021 and strong regulations to support the adoption of blockchain across different sectors in the UAE, the digital assets industry in the UAE continues its rapid growth.
- As of 2026, Dubai’s cryptocurrency activity is primarily regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, which has licensing, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and reporting through goAML. The federal oversight of the Securities and Commodities Authority also strengthens the regulatory environment.
- Clients can rely on Tetra Consultants’ legal and licencing experts for assistance with regulatory structure, licence applications and compliance documents. The accounting and tax team at Tetra Consultants will provide assistance for corporate structuring and the opening of a corporate bank account to facilitate smooth operation.
How much time does it take to obtain a Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
- Prior to the start of the engagement, Tetra Consultants will send you a project plan with the timelines stipulated for company registration, preparation of documents as well as license application. This is to ensure that all parties are clear on the upcoming project.
How much does it cost to obtain a Cryptocurrency License in Dubai?
- The cost of the engagement fee at Tetra Consultants depends on the services that the company intends to incorporate. Our company offers end-to-end services from company incorporation to the issuance of a cryptocurrency license in Dubai. The cost will entail company incorporation, license fees, and regulatory charges. Tetra Consultants will ensure that the company is transparent in the letter of appointment regarding the fees involved.
Our services
- Tetra Consultants works as your advisor and trusted partner in your business expansion and cryptocurrency licenses. With our own team of lawyers, licensing specialists, compliance team, and accountants, we tell our clients what they need to know, instead of what they want to hear. Most importantly, we are known for being a one-stop solution for our valued clients.
- In addition, Tetra Consultants can also assist with attaining other offshore financial licenses depending on your long-term business goals.
Find out more!
Contact us to find out more about how to get a Dubai cryptocurrency license. Our team of experts will revert within the next 24 hours.
FAQs
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