Crypto & Web3

Licensing in Dubai (VARA)

Dubai has positioned itself as a global hub for crypto, blockchain, and Web3. To operate legally, every Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP)—from exchanges to DeFi projects—must be licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

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Overview

Why Dubai — and Why VARA

Dubai is rapidly positioning itself as the global capital for digital assets, Web3, and blockchain innovation. At the center of this growth is VARA—the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority—established to create a trusted, transparent, and future-proof framework for virtual asset businesses.

Choosing Dubai means access to a world-class market; choosing VARA means operating with regulatory clarity, investor confidence, and long-term stability.

Clear rules, real oversight.

ARA was established by Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022 and governs virtual‑asset service providers (VASPs) across Dubai’s mainland and free zones (excluding DIFC).

Modern, published rulebooks.

The 2023 Regulations and activity rulebooks set expectations for governance, AML/CFT, tech/cybersecurity, conduct, and reporting—so you know exactly what “good” looks like.

License first, then go live.

You must obtain—and maintain—the specific VARA license(s) matching your activities before carrying on those activities in Dubai.

Overview

Who Needs a VARA License in Dubai

If you are running any kind of crypto, blockchain, or Web3 business in Dubai, you cannot operate legally without a VARA license. VARA regulates all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) — and that means any business that touches, manages, or facilitates digital assets in any way.Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Broker-Dealer Services

If you arrange trades, connect buyers and sellers, or act as a middleman in crypto transactions, your business model falls under VARA’s broker-dealer category.

Advisory Services

If you advise clients on investments, trading strategies, or token projects, even without directly handling assets, you need an Advisory license. VARA treats guidance as regulated activity.

Exchanges & Trading Platforms

If you arrange trades, connect buyers and sellers, or act as a middleman in crypto transactions, your business model falls under VARA’s broker-dealer category.

Custody & Wallet Services

If you arrange trades, connect buyers and sellers, or act as a middleman in crypto transactions, your business model falls under VARA’s broker-dealer category.

Lending & Borrowing Platforms

If you operate crypto lending, borrowing, staking, or yield platforms, these fall under VARA’s Lending & Borrowing license category — due to the risks they pose to retail and institutional investors alike.

VA Management & Investment Services

If you manage portfolios, investment funds, staking pools, or handle crypto on behalf of clients, you must hold a Management & Investment license.

Token Issuance & Settlement Services

If you create tokens, launch ICOs/IEOs, or provide settlement services (moving assets between wallets or parties), you require an Issuance or Settlement license.

This is not a quick license.
VARA is built for serious Web3 founders. Meet real compliance, gain global trust.

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VARA Fees at a Glance

Getting licensed under VARA comes with a clear cost structure. These fees are designed to cover both the initial approval and the ongoing supervision of your business as a regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).

Application Fees

AED 40,000 – 100,000 per activity

Every business activity you apply for under VARA requires its own application fee.

👉 Example: If you apply for Advisory (AED 40,000) and Exchange (AED 100,000), you must pay both fees separately.

Annual Supervision Fees

AED 80,000 per year – For lower-risk activities like Advisory and Transfer & Settlement.

AED 200,000 per year – For higher-risk activities like Exchanges, Custody, Broker-Dealer, Lending, and VA Management & Investment.

👉 These fees are paid every year in advance, ensuring VARA can fund audits, monitoring, and compliance support.

Amendments & Withdrawals

AED 500 – For minor license

amendments (e.g., changing details of services or directors).

AED 10,000 – For full license withdrawal or deregistration when shutting down operations.

Whitepaper Reviews (For Token Issuance)

AED 5,000 – 55,000 depending on complexity and scope.

If you are launching or issuing tokens, your whitepaper must be reviewed by VARA.
The cost scales depending on the level of review required (basic check vs detailed analysis).

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With SVG, you don’t just get licensed—you gain the full regulatory, technological, and operational framework to run a trusted FX business in the UAE, backed by investor confidence and regulator approval.

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Important to Note

VARA expects firms to treat compliance as a continuous investment, not a one-off cost. The businesses that plan for this from the start avoid delays, financial strain, and regulatory risk.

Fees Are Per Licensed Activity

VARA charges on a per-activity basis. This means if your business covers multiple services—like running an Exchange, offering Custody, and providing Advisory—you must pay application and supervision fees for each category separately. Costs can add up quickly, so planning your licensing scope is critical.

Remittance & Money Exchange

→ Licensed operations for currency exchange, account-to-account transfers, and global cross-border payouts through correspondent networks. Our approach secures Central Bank approval while embedding AML/CFT and fraud controls that keep regulators and customers protected.

All Fees Must Be Paid Upfront

VARA requires fees to be settled in advance before your license can be issued or renewed. Without full payment, you cannot legally operate. This ensures VARA has the resources to monitor your activity from day one and is non-negotiable for compliance.

Supervision is Ongoing

Licensing isn’t a one-time expense. After approval, you enter a cycle of annual supervision fees, reporting obligations, and audits. Budgeting only for the initial application will leave you exposed. To stay compliant, you must account for yearly renewals and ongoing oversight—this is what gives banks, investors, and customers long-term confidence in your business.

VARA is not simply another license—it is the gold standard for digital asset regulation in the Middle East and beyond. For any crypto or Web3 company that wants to be taken seriously by investors, partners, and clients, a VARA license is essential.

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UAE Regulatory Pathways (At a Glance)

The UAE offers multiple regulatory options for FX, brokerage, and remittance models. Choosing the right one is critical—the wrong pathway means delays, higher costs, or outright rejection. SVG ensures your business is mapped once, correctly.

Global Credibility

Licensing under VARA signals to the world that your business meets the highest international standards for digital asset regulation. Few regulators have published frameworks as comprehensive as VARA’s, covering everything from exchanges to token issuance. By being licensed, you stand alongside leading global players operating in one of the most progressive hubs for blockchain innovation.

Investor Confidence

Banks, venture funds, and institutional partners look for regulatory certainty before committing capital or services. A VARA license proves your operations are transparent, supervised, and compliant with AML/KYC rules. This stamp of approval dramatically improves your ability to secure banking relationships, attract investors, and form partnerships that are otherwise closed to unlicensed firms.

Regulatory Clarity

Unlike many jurisdictions where crypto rules remain vague, VARA has published clear, activity-specific rulebooks. Whether you are running an Exchange, Custody service, Advisory firm, or Token Issuance platform, the requirements, fees, and supervision expectations are clearly defined. This removes ambiguity and gives your business a predictable roadmap for compliance.

Market Access

A VARA license grants you the ability to operate legally in Dubai while serving a global client base. Dubai is strategically positioned between Asia, Europe, and Africa, making it an ideal launchpad for Web3 companies. With legal certainty, you can expand confidently into new markets while being recognized as compliant in one of the world’s fastest-growing financial hubs.

Future-Proof Oversight

VARA’s annual supervision fees fund ongoing monitoring, audits, and compliance support. This isn’t just about regulators keeping watch—it protects both your business and your customers. Firms that maintain compliance stay ahead of enforcement actions, while clients gain confidence that they are dealing with a regulated, secure, and well-governed company.

SecureVisa Group: Your Shortcut to Compliance

Getting licensed under VARA is complex—covering entity setup, AML/CFT frameworks, cybersecurity readiness, and regulator queries. SVG streamlines every step, from scoping your activity to maintaining supervision compliance, so you can launch and scale your crypto or Web3 business in Dubai faster, with full confidence.

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