Fintech & Virtual Assets
The UAE is a global leader in digital assets and fintech innovation. We help businesses navigate licensing, compliance, and cross-border operations.
Precision counsel for the UAE's digital asset and fintech economy
The UAE has established itself as one of the most considered, well-structured jurisdictions for virtual assets globally. We help operators across the stack — exchanges, custodians, brokers, token issuers, market-makers, payments firms, and fintech platforms — navigate the licensing, compliance, and operational complexity of this market.
Jurisdiction selection
The UAE offers multiple regulatory pathways: VARA in Dubai, FSRA in ADGM (a comprehensive virtual-asset framework), DFSA in DIFC, the SCA federally, and the Central Bank UAE for payments and money services. Selecting the right vehicle is a strategic decision that flows from the activity, customer base, and target footprint.
Licensing & authorisation
We project-manage the licensing workstream end-to-end: regulator pre-engagement, business-plan development, governance and key-person packs, financial-resources requirement modelling, technology and security documentation, and AML programme drafting.
Tokens & offerings
Token classification, primary issuance structuring, secondary market arrangements, and ongoing investor disclosure. For stablecoins, we advise on reserve composition, attestation regimes, and redemption mechanics.
Payments & e-money
Payments aggregation, e-money issuance, merchant acquiring, and cross-border remittance — including Central Bank UAE engagement and the relevant card scheme requirements.
Operations & compliance
AML/CFT programmes, sanctions screening, the Travel Rule (UAE implementation), and ongoing regulatory reporting. Where regulators open inquiries, we coordinate the response.
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