Othereffective

Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai

United Arab Emirates Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

Overview

Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022 establishes the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the virtual-asset regulatory perimeter in the Emirate of Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It requires authorisation for regulated virtual-asset activities, sets the legal basis for implementing rulebooks and provides VARA's supervisory and enforcement mandate.

Key Details

Regulator

Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)

Law Type

Other

Status

In Force

Official Law Number

Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022

Official Title

Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai

Enacted Date

February 28, 2022

Effective Date

March 11, 2022

Who This Law Applies To

Virtual-asset activities in the Emirate of Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). All entities requiring VARA authorisation.

Key Requirements

  • Establishes VARA and its mandate as the primary virtual-asset regulator in Dubai (excluding DIFC).
  • Requires authorisation for all regulated virtual-asset activities in Dubai.
  • Sets the legal basis for implementing rulebooks, supervision and enforcement actions.

Related Laws

OtherIn ForceUnited Arab Emirates

UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets and Their Service Providers

Cabinet Resolution No. (111) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets and Their Service Providers

Added August 29, 2026Ref: Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022

UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022 creates a federal regulatory perimeter for virtual assets and virtual-asset service providers across the UAE, subject to exclusions and coordination with local and free-zone authorities including VARA (Dubai), ADGM and DIFC. It allocates licensing and supervisory roles between federal (SCA) and local authorities and establishes authorisation and compliance foundations. It does not replace or supersede the VARA, ADGM or DIFC regimes.

LicensingExchangesAML/KYC
uaelegislation.gov.aeView Law Profile
RegulationIn ForceUnited Arab Emirates

Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023

Added August 29, 2026Effective: February 7, 2023

The VARA Regulations 2023 are the core licensing and activity regulations implementing Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022. They define the licensing framework, regulated activity categories, and set governance, compliance, conduct and supervisory expectations for VARA licensees. They operate alongside compulsory and activity-specific VARA rulebooks.

LicensingExchangesAML/KYC
rulebooks.vara.aeView Law Profile
ActIn ForceUnited Arab Emirates

Dubai Virtual Assets Law

Law No. 4 of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai

Added August 24, 2026Effective: March 11, 2022Ref: Dubai Law 4/2022

Establishes VARA and Dubai's statutory virtual-asset regulatory perimeter outside DIFC.

LicensingExchangesCustodyPayments
dlp.dubai.gov.aeView Law Profile
RegulationIn ForceUnited Arab Emirates

VARA Full Market Product Regulations

VARA Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations

Added August 24, 2026Effective: February 7, 2023Ref: VARA Regulations

Creates detailed rulebooks for Dubai VASP activities.

LicensingAML/KYCCustodyExchanges+1 more
rulebooks.vara.aeView Law Profile
OtherIn ForceJurisdiction unavailable

Decision No. E/35/2023 — VASP Registration and AML/CFT Instructions

Decision No. E/35/2023 on Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration, Cancellation of Registration and AML/CFT Instructions

Added August 29, 2026Ref: Decision No. E/35/2023

Oman's FSA Decision No. E/35/2023 requires registration with the Oman Financial Services Authority (formerly Capital Market Authority) before carrying on covered virtual-asset activities in the Sultanate of Oman. It implements AML/CFT, governance and compliance requirements, and provides registration, cancellation and supervisory procedures. This is a VASP registration/AML regime and should be distinguished from any future full licensing framework.

LicensingAML/KYCExchanges
fsa.gov.omView Law Profile
RegulationPartially EffectiveJurisdiction unavailable

BCB Resolutions No. 519, 520 and 521 of 2025 — Virtual Asset Regulatory Framework

Resoluções BCB nos. 519, 520 e 521, de 10 de novembro de 2025

Added August 29, 2026Ref: BCB Resolution No. 519/2025; No. 520/2025; No. 521/2025

Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) Resolutions No. 519, 520 and 521 of 10 November 2025 implement the virtual-asset regulatory framework under the supervision of the Central Bank. Resolution 519 establishes VASP authorisation procedures; Resolution 520 sets activity, governance, controls, security and conduct requirements; Resolution 521 integrates specified virtual-asset operations into Brazil's foreign-exchange and international-capital rules. Commencement is staged during 2026 — verify the effective date for each resolution separately.

LicensingExchangesAML/KYCConsumer Protection+1 more
bcb.gov.brView Law Profile