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.
Regulationeffective
Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023
United Arab Emirates Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
Overview
Key Details
Jurisdiction
United Arab EmiratesRegulator
Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
Law Type
Regulation
Status
In ForceOfficial Title
Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023
Enacted Date
February 7, 2023
Effective Date
February 7, 2023
Who This Law Applies To
VARA licensees and applicants conducting regulated virtual-asset activities in the Emirate of Dubai, excluding the DIFC.
Key Requirements
- Defines the licensing framework and regulated activity categories for VARA licensees.
- Works with compulsory rulebooks and activity-specific VARA rulebooks.
- Sets governance, compliance, conduct and supervisory expectations for virtual-asset activities in Dubai outside DIFC.
Official Sources
Exact official documentStore document version and last-updated date separately. Do not overwrite legal effective date with PDF revision date.
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
OtherIn ForceUnited Arab Emirates
Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of Dubai
Added August 29, 2026Effective: March 11, 2022Ref: Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022
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.
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
