VARA License in Dubai: How to Start a Crypto Business
Every crypto business in Dubai runs on a VASP license from VARA — the world's first independent virtual assets regulator. 8 categories, two stages.
Материалы автора
Business communication tools in the UAE: a 2026 guide
Video meetings, TDRA-licensed calling apps, WhatsApp Business, Arabic AI and UAE Pass: the practical communication stack of a multilingual business in the UAE.
UAE business languages: English, Arabic and the 2027 law
The UAE is home to 200+ nationalities. English is the de facto language of business, Arabic the official language (Article 7 of the Constitution). The first comprehensive Arabic Language Law is expected in 2027. What it means for a foreign company — the facts, without the clichés.
UAE
Fasset is Dubai's new fintech unicorn: $68M Series C by SBI
Fasset raised $68M Series C led by Japan's SBI and Speedinvest at $1B — Dubai's new 2026 fintech unicorn. What it means for UAE fintech.
UAE
Dubai Chambers and India's Nasscom sign agentic AI MOU
Dubai Chambers signed an MOU with Nasscom: 3,500+ Indian tech firms across a $315B industry — supporting Dubai entry and agentic AI adoption in UAE business.
MGX
UAE MGX invests in Databricks $5B strategic round at $190B
Databricks raised $5B at a $190B valuation. Abu Dhabi's sovereign AI investor MGX is among the top backers. What this means for UAE's tech ecosystem.
UAE
ADX opens live market data to ChatGPT and Claude via MCP
On 13 Aug 2026 ADX launched an MCP server: retail and brokers can plug ChatGPT and Claude into live ADX data. Free tier + up to AED 49.99/mo.
UAE
Coinbase wins Abu Dhabi FSRA licence for tokenised stocks
11 Aug 2026: ADGM FSRA licence lets Coinbase issue tokenised stocks — backed 1:1 by shares, with dividends and voting rights preserved for holders.
UAE
UAE Cyber Security Council thwarts attacks on 3 vital sectors
UAE contained coordinated cyber attacks on aviation, energy and education before systems were breached. What UAE firms should do now.
UAE
Dubai AI to issue villa building permits in minutes, not days
Dubai Municipality's AI will vet villa drawings against the Dubai Building Code and issue permits in minutes. 26 weeks, three phases, Build in Dubai.
Crypto.com Pay
Dubai Duty Free is first ME airport retailer with Crypto.com Pay
DDF is first airport retailer in ME to accept Crypto.com Pay: QR at DXB, DWC, online for eligible UAE residents. Crypto.com — first VASP with CBUAE SVF.
Regulations
UAE Federal Authority for AI and Data: Business Guide
One regulator instead of three, and the first authority with a full enforcement mandate over PDPL for the private sector. What UAE companies should do before the final schedule of fines lands.
AI
e& UAE and Core42 launch Sovereign AI Compute
e& UAE and Core42 (a G42 company) have launched Sovereign AI Compute, positioned by both partners as the UAE's first sovereign GPU platform for enterprise AI. Data stays inside the country, egress is free of charge, and there is no upfront capex — with a companion GPU Connect bundle packaging GPU access with premium connectivity.
Fintech
Triple-A Secures Dubai VARA IPA for Broker-Dealer Services
On 16 July 2026, Singapore's Triple-A received an In-Principle Approval from Dubai's VARA for Broker-Dealer virtual assets services. Around 50 firms hold full VASP licences globally. What the IPA delivers, how the IPA-to-licence path works, and what it means for UAE businesses.
Fintech
UAE Jaywan National Payment Card Goes Live: What Changes Now
On 20 July 2026 CBUAE and Al Etihad Payments moved Jaywan from pilot to operational. Two new issuers, thousands of merchants, wallets rolling out — what it means for UAE business.
Regulation
UAE Approves Spectrum Rules for Air Taxis and Drones
The UAE telecoms regulator TDRA has approved updated spectrum rules for Advanced Air Mobility, covering air taxis, delivery drones, vertiports and unmanned traffic management. The change removes a key regulatory uncertainty for operators and investors eyeing the UAE — though commercial services still need clearance from the civil aviation authority and the emirate of operation.
Fintech
UP by CBD: Mobile Bank for UAE SME Digital Accounts
CBD's new mobile bank plugs directly into the Dubai Unified Licence, shortening SME onboarding from weeks to days — and pairing the account with DET's Founders HQ and SME in a Box programmes.
DIFC
DIFC opens AI-focused data protection consultation
DIFC Authority opened a 30-day consultation on amended Data Protection Regulations targeting AI systems, certification bodies and the Autonomous Systems Officer role. Comments close 18 July 2026.
Free Zones
Salik–DIEZ MoU Brings Smart Parking to Dubai Free Zones
Salik e-wallet and DIEZ join forces on smart parking across 21,000 spaces in three Dubai free zones.
M&A
Uber acquires Delivery Hero, talabat's UAE parent
Uber Technologies has announced a EUR 41.50-per-share voluntary takeover offer for Berlin-based Delivery Hero SE, valuing the group at about USD 14.8 billion and keeping UAE market leader talabat inside Uber's global platform.
Fintech
MESA Launches at DIFC as Middle East's First Stablecoin Industry Body
MESA, the region's first industry association focused solely on stablecoins, was incorporated at DIFC on 15 July 2026. Chaired by Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, it will work on policy, education and standards as UAE regulators tighten oversight and issuers scale up under the new CBUAE regime.
Fintech
Revolut Wins VARA In-Principle Approval for Dubai Crypto
AGBI reports Revolut has picked up an in-principle approval from Dubai's VARA for a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence. The full licence — and a UAE-facing crypto trading platform — could land before the end of August 2026, with the caveat the process may take longer.
US-UAE
UAE Enters US Country Group A:5 — License-Free AI Chips
BIS reclassifies the UAE to Country Group A:5 — approved end-users can now import advanced AI chips and servers without individual US export licenses.
Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD and Partior Go Live: First Real-Time Blockchain USD Payment to J.P. Morgan
On 14 July 2026, Emirates NBD executed the region's first real-time, blockchain-based cross-border USD payment on the Partior network, with J.P. Morgan acting as both settlement and beneficiary bank. The launch takes a partnership announced in October 2024 into live production, giving corporate and institutional clients in the UAE a minutes-fast USD corridor to J.P. Morgan accounts. It also signals what regional treasurers can expect as more currencies and banks join Partior's rails.
UAE
UAE Enters US Export Tier A:5, Unlocking AI Chip Access
The US Bureau of Industry and Security has moved the UAE into Country Group A:5 under the Export Administration Regulations, making it the first Arab nation in the top-trust tier. The change activates License Exception STA and clears a licence-free path for Nvidia and AMD AI accelerators, commercial satellites, and dual-use kit for oil and gas, desalination and civil nuclear. Data centres, free zones and the UAE’s professional-services stack are the first-order beneficiaries.
Fintech
Taptap Send secures 3 CBUAE licenses to launch local UAE payments
CBUAE issued Taptap Send three separate authorisations (SVF, Retail Payment Cat II, Exchange Cat IV). The company can now move beyond remittances into onshore UAE: dirham local payments, digital wallets and payment cards for diaspora communities. Announced 8 July 2026.