Jurisdiction · Middle East

Fintech licensing in Dubai (VARA)

In Dubai (VARA), fintech and crypto licences are issued by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The Atlas covers 7 licence types there, in one family: virtual asset service provider. Each licence page lists its legal basis, fees and decision period with sources.

Last verified 2026-09-24Markdown · 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 by mapping the activities you plan to offer onto the licence types above; the activity pages show which licence permits each one. VARA offers pre-application meetings, an innovation hub and a regulatory sandbox; the regulator page explains how to use them. The application goes to VARA, together with the capital, governance and AML documentation 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 2026-09-24Author Danil Marmysh, Founder & CEO, ProtegraReviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova, Head of Licensing, ProtegraReport an errorReference information, not legal advice.

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