How to Open a Web3 Business in Dubai: Legal Requirements Explained (2026)

Key Highlights VARA approval is legally required before your trade license in Dubai, under Article 15(c) of Dubai Law No. (4) of 2022. Getting this sequence wrong resets your entire application. VARA license application fees start at AED 40,000 for advisory and transfer services and go up to AED 100,000 for exchange, custody, and broker-dealer […]
How to Start a Crypto Trading Company in Dubai: The VARA License Guide (2026)

Key Highlights Dubai’s licensed virtual asset market hit AED 2.5 trillion ($680 billion) in transaction volumes in 2025, making it the world’s largest regulated crypto market.? A free zone trade license alone is not enough. You need a separate VARA VASP license before you can legally operate any virtual asset activity in Dubai.? VARA licenses […]
How to Set Up a Blockchain Business in a Dubai Free Zone (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Key Highlights Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established under Law No. 4 of 2022, is the first dedicated VA regulator in the MENA region. Dubai free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation with no capital transfer restrictions. VARA requires a mandatory VASP licence for any […]