UAE VASP LICENSE
TRACKER 2026:
EVERY ACTIVE CRYPTO
LICENSE ACROSS VARA,
ADGM, DFSA, CBUAE & CMA

As of April 2026, over 100 entities hold virtual asset licences across VARA (45), ADGM/FSRA (25+), DFSA/DIFC (10+), and CBUAE (3+). This has grown rapidly since the first ADGM licence in 2019.

VARA regulates Dubai mainland VA activity (outside DIFC). ADGM/FSRA is the regulator of Abu Dhabi Global Market — a common law free zone that was first globally with a VA framework in 2018. DFSA regulates the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under its own common law jurisdiction. CBUAE is the federal central bank, overseeing payment tokens and stablecoins nationally.

Typically 6–18 months from initial engagement to a full VASP licence, depending on the business model's complexity and the applicant's documentation readiness. The process has two stages: Approval to Incorporate (ATI) then the full VASP Licence application. NeosLegal has guided 300+ projects through this process since 2016.

VARA regulates eight activities: Advisory, Broker-Dealer, Custody, Exchange, Lending and Borrowing, Management and Investment, Transfer and Settlement, and VA Issuance (Category 1). Any entity conducting these activities in or from Dubai must be licenced before commencing operations.

Yes. The UAE actively welcomes applications. NeosLegal can advise on whether VARA, ADGM/FSRA, DFSA, or CBUAE is the right jurisdiction for your business model, and guide you through licensing end-to-end. Book a strategy call to discuss your specific situation.