Jurisdiction · Middle East

Fintech licensing in Dubai (VARA)

In Dubai (VARA), the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issues the fintech and crypto licences. Here the Atlas covers 7 licence types, all in one family: virtual asset service provider. Each licence page has its legal basis, fees and decision period, with sources.

Last verified 2026-09-29Markdown · Data (CC BY 4.0)
Dubai (VARA): jurisdictionDU
Dubai (VARA) on the mapDubai (VARA)

Financial regulators in Dubai (VARA)

Fintech licences available in Dubai (VARA)

Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)

Main laws

Path to market

Start with your activities. Match them to the licence types above: the activity pages show which licence permits each one. VARA runs pre-application meetings, an innovation hub and a regulatory sandbox, and the regulator page explains how to use them. Applications go to VARA. They carry the capital, governance and AML documentation that the licence page lists.

Getting licensed in Dubai (VARA)

Protegra handles licensing in Dubai (VARA) end to end: crypto licensing in Dubai (VARA).

Last verified 2026-09-29Author Danil Marmysh, Founder & CEO, ProtegraReviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova, Head of Licensing, ProtegraReport an errorReference information, not legal advice.

Need this licence, or a different one?

Tell us your business model and target markets. We check the fit before you spend on an application, then handle the licence end to end.

A free preliminary assessment: we check your business model against the licence before you spend on an application. We handle this licence and any other fintech licence, including jurisdictions the Atlas does not cover yet.