# Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC))

Source page: https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/difc/

The Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement is issued by Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) under the Regulatory Law. The legal decision period is No statutory decision period: the Regulatory Law (Art. 48) only requires the DFSA to notify the applicant of its decision without undue delay. The application fee is USD 10,000. Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.

## At a glance

| Official name | Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement [1] |
| --- | --- |
| Issued by | [Dubai Financial Services Authority](https://protegra.io/licensing/regulators/dfsa-difc/) |
| Jurisdiction | [Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)](https://protegra.io/licensing/jurisdictions/difc/) |
| Licence family | [Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/) |
| Legal basis | Regulatory Law [2]; DFSA Rulebook: Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorist Financing and Sanctions Module (AML) [3] |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Application fee | USD 10,000 [4] |
| Annual fee | USD 35,000 [4] |
| Statutory decision time | No statutory decision period: the Regulatory Law (Art. 48) only requires the DFSA to notify the applicant of its decision without undue delay [2] |

## What it lets you do

- [Virtual asset exchange (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-exchange/)
- [Virtual asset transfer (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-transfer/)
- [Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-custody/)

- **Virtual asset exchange (FATF).** Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or for other virtual assets as a business, as defined in the FATF glossary.
- **Virtual asset transfer (FATF).** Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person.
- **Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF).** Safekeeping or administering virtual assets, or instruments enabling control over them, for another person.

## Where it is valid

_Valid in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)._

## Cost

_Regulatory costs from the official sources above. Professional fees, staff, office and audit come on top and depend on the business model._

## Buying a company that already holds it

**Prior approval required.** Under Regulatory Law 2004 Article 59 and DFSA Rulebook General Module (GEN) Section 11.8, prior written approval from the DFSA is required before any person becomes a Controller, or increases their holding across 30% or 50% thresholds. A Controller is defined as someone holding 10% or more of shares or voting rights, or exercising significant influence over management. Under GEN 11.8.6, the DFSA must determine an application for approval of a change of control within 90 days of receipt of a duly completed application. [5]

Ready-made companies holding this licence: [see verified positions](https://protegra.io/companies/crypto-digital-assets/).

## Laws behind it

- [Regulatory Law 2004](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-difc-regulatory-law-2004/): DIFC Law No. 1 of 2004

## Getting this licence

Protegra handles this licence end to end: [crypto licensing in DIFC](https://protegra.io/difc-uae): process, timeline and our fee.

## Sources

1. [dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com: 12 january 2026 dfsa implements major updates crypto token r](https://dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/12-january-2026-dfsa-implements-major-updates-crypto-token-regulatory-framework-enhancing): retrieved 2026-09-24
2. [dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com: regulatory law 1](https://dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/regulatory-law-1): retrieved 2026-09-24
3. [dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com: anti money laundering counter terrorist financing and sancti](https://dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/anti-money-laundering-counter-terrorist-financing-and-sanctions-module-aml-ver3004-26): retrieved 2026-09-24
4. [dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com: fees module fer ver3504 26](https://dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/fees-module-fer-ver3504-26): retrieved 2026-09-24
5. [dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com: general module gen ver7207 26](https://dfsaen.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/general-module-gen-ver7207-26): retrieved 2026-09-24

Last verified 2026-09-24 · Author: Danil Marmysh · Reviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova · © Protegra. Data: CC BY 4.0, cite "Protegra Licensing Atlas". Not legal advice.