VARA Licensed VASPs: 19 ▲ Dubai Active | ADGM FSP Holders: 14 ▲ Digital Asset | DFSA Crypto Tokens: 6 Recognized ▲ DIFC Licensed | SCA Regulated: Federal Scope ▼ Onshore UAE | UAE FATF Rating: Compliant ▲ 2024 MER | Sandbox Programs: 3 Active ▲ VARA+ADGM+DFSA | Cross-Border MoUs: 12+ ▲ Bilateral | Corporate Tax: 9% ▼ Federal Rate | VARA Licensed VASPs: 19 ▲ Dubai Active | ADGM FSP Holders: 14 ▲ Digital Asset | DFSA Crypto Tokens: 6 Recognized ▲ DIFC Licensed | SCA Regulated: Federal Scope ▼ Onshore UAE | UAE FATF Rating: Compliant ▲ 2024 MER | Sandbox Programs: 3 Active ▲ VARA+ADGM+DFSA | Cross-Border MoUs: 12+ ▲ Bilateral | Corporate Tax: 9% ▼ Federal Rate |

Glossaries

anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (aml/cft)

comprehensive definition of the aml/cft framework as applied to virtual asset service providers under uae federal law and authority-specific regulations.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

distributed ledger technology (dlt)

comprehensive definition of dlt as the technological foundation of tokenized assets, covering blockchain types, consensus mechanisms, and regulatory relevance.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

financial services permission (fsp)

adgm fsra's authorization framework for regulated financial services activities including digital asset operations within abu dhabi global market.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

payment token

definition and regulatory treatment of payment tokens and stablecoins under cbuae federal oversight and free zone regulatory frameworks.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

recognized crypto token (dfsa)

the dfsa's recognized crypto token classification and the gatekeeper model restricting regulated activities to tokens specifically approved by the authority.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

regulatory sandbox

definition and comparison of regulatory sandbox programs across uae authorities — vara mvp, adgm reglab, dfsa itl, and sca fintech sandbox.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

security token

definition and regulatory treatment of security tokens under uae federal and free zone regulatory frameworks — classification criteria, regulatory implications, and authority jurisdiction.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

travel rule (fatf recommendation 16)

the fatf travel rule requiring vasps to transmit originator and beneficiary information with virtual asset transfers — uae implementation across all regulatory jurisdictions.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

virtual asset

the fatf definition of virtual asset and how it is applied across uae regulatory authorities — sca, cbuae, vara, adgm fsra, and dfsa — with variations in scope and interpretation.

Updated Mar 18, 2026

virtual asset service provider (vasp)

comprehensive definition of vasp as applied in uae federal regulation and across individual regulatory authorities including activity scope and licensing triggers.

Updated Mar 18, 2026
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