The UAE has evolved from a crypto sandbox to a global model for digital asset regulation, demonstrating how policy clarity, investor protection, and innovation can coexist. Once a regional testing ground, the nation now leads in tokenization, blockchain adoption, and institutional-grade compliance — setting a framework others are eager to emulate.

Institutions Move from Observation to Adoption

Over the last two years, institutional investors — from sovereign funds to global asset managers — have shifted from cautious exploration to structured allocations in digital assets. Yet, these investors only engage when they see robust regulatory infrastructure.
Here, UAE crypto regulation stands apart. While the U.S. remains divided over jurisdictional control and Europe’s MiCA awaits full rollout, the UAE offers a complete ecosystem where policy meets execution. This maturity has transformed the country into a trusted base for large-scale blockchain initiatives.

Two Regulatory Paths, One Unified Objective

The UAE’s approach balances innovation and oversight through two distinct yet aligned regulatory arms.

• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): Through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), it licenses custody, tokenization, and brokerage activities under strict governance criteria.
• Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA): Instead of classifying asset types, VARA regulates activities, giving firms flexibility to innovate without restarting their licensing process.

This dual model ensures both stability and adaptability — a rare equilibrium that reinforces confidence among enterprises and investors.

Tokenization Moves from Pilot to Production

In 2023, Neovision and Realize launched one of the first tokenized U.S. Treasury funds under ADGM’s oversight, now part of a market valued at over $2.4 billion. Soon after, HSBC piloted tokenized gold settlement in the Emirates, leveraging the UAE’s mature legal and technical infrastructure.
Unlike most markets, where tokenization remains conceptual, the UAE has operationalized it across corporate bonds, commodities, and private equity. This tangible progress makes UAE crypto regulation a benchmark for turning blockchain theory into enterprise-scale reality.

Proven Resilience Through Market Turbulence

The UAE’s frameworks were tested during the 2022 digital asset downturn. While some regions froze licensing or enforcement, VARA introduced stricter custodial and marketing rules while continuing to issue licenses transparently.
In 2024, both VARA and ADGM demonstrated accountability by penalizing unlicensed operators and enforcing compliance — signaling a regulatory environment that values both innovation and discipline.

Blockchain Beyond Finance

Beyond crypto trading and tokenization, the UAE is using blockchain to drive cross-sector innovation.

• Ras Al Khaimah has built a dedicated Web3 zone for decentralized applications.
• Sharjah is piloting blockchain in public services, from identity to supply chain tracking.
  This diversification proves the national model’s flexibility and depth, blending economic and civic value under a unified UAE crypto regulation framework.

Geography Meets Governance

Situated between Asia and Europe, the UAE benefits from time-zone overlap, U.S. dollar settlement, and investor-friendly tax structures. Yet its real advantage lies in policy precision. Since 2023, VARA has issued frequent updates and consultative papers, responding dynamically to industry input.
Following its removal from the FATF grey list in 2024, the UAE has accelerated compliance reforms faster than most peers, turning global scrutiny into strategic progress.

A Replicable Blueprint for the World

While the U.S. debates regulatory ownership and Europe await MiCA’s maturity, the UAE has implemented a live, multi-emirate framework. It balances openness with oversight — a model now studied by global policymakers.
For institutional investors, the question has shifted from if to were. Increasingly, the answer is clear: the UAE — where crypto regulation is no longer an experiment, but the emerging global standard.

Read our previous post, UAE Depreciation Rules Boost Real Estate Investment

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A Sharper Edge for UAE Property Depreciation Investors

The UAE property depreciation is reshaping how businesses and family offices view property as an investment. Real estate has always anchored wealth and stability, but its treatment within corporate tax frameworks now determines how effectively it performs over time.

The latest guidance allows depreciation deductions on properties valued at fair market value, adding a layer of fiscal precision. Companies choosing the realization basis—deferring tax until sale—can now claim an annual deduction of up to 4 percent on the property’s original cost or written-down tax value. This refinement strengthens property’s role inside long-term, tax-efficient portfolios.

How Depreciation Boosts UAE Property Cash Flow

Investment success depends not only on appreciation but also on liquidity and reinvestment power. Depreciation lowers taxable income, improving post-tax returns for assets that are typically illiquid.

For structured property holders, claiming depreciation under fair-value accounting boosts internal yield and aligns property with other income-producing assets. Even at a modest 4 percent, the deduction releases capital that can be reallocated or retained, enhancing overall portfolio efficiency.

Moreover, this recurring offset stabilizes cash flows, giving investors predictable returns that complement the long-term nature of property ownership.

Aligning UAE Property Depreciation with Tax Efficiency

Previously, owners had to choose between fair-value accounting and depreciation benefits. Businesses valuing properties at market rates lost tax deductions, while those using historical cost models retained them. The new UAE depreciation rules remove this compromise.

Now, companies can maintain up-to-date valuations and still claim depreciation, ensuring transparency and consistency. This alignment allows property to compete directly with other investment classes, from private equity to listed securities, on a balanced tax basis.

Consequently, financial planners can make clearer, data-driven decisions about capital allocation and portfolio composition.

Small Rule, Big Impact on UAE Property Investment

While no single regulation redefines real-estate logic, subtle fiscal changes can transform investment behavior. This policy turns property from a passive holding into an active component of strategic capital management.

It also reflects the UAE’s commitment to predictable, rules-based governance that supports investment without distorting markets. For business owners and families planning across generations, this stability builds confidence and encourages long-term commitment to the country’s economy.

Ultimately, the UAE depreciation rules help transform real estate from a static asset into a dynamic tool for tax optimization and sustainable growth.

A Foundation for Smarter Real Estate Portfolios

These reforms make it easier to incorporate real estate within diversified investment portfolios. They support businesses in balancing cash flow needs, compliance requirements, and performance targets.

For investors, the message is clear: property can now compete with other asset classes not only on returns but also on efficiency and resilience. The UAE continues to build a financial landscape where predictability and innovation work hand in hand.

About the Author

Shabbir Moonim is the Chief Financial Officer at The Continental Group, with over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy, and governance. He aligns financial operations with enterprise growth, oversees risk management and treasury, and drives regulatory readiness and data-driven decision-making across the organization.

About The Continental Group

Founded in 1994 by Ashok Sardana, The Continental Group is a leading insurance and financial services provider licensed by the UAE Insurance Authority, SCA, and DFSA. With over 250 professionals operating across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the Group offers customized solutions in investments, wealth management, succession planning, and insurance. Its core values — integrity, insight, and innovation — continue to drive client trust and long-term financial well-being.

Check out our previous post, ADIB Launches Remit Service, Expands Digital Banking Solutions

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For decades, white-glove banking in the Middle East relied on personal trust. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and family offices turned to relationship managers (RMs) for access, expertise, and discretion. However, today’s digital-first generation of clients is inheriting wealth, and they expect faster, more transparent, and more personalised service than traditional models can deliver.

Why are younger clients walking away?

Recent surveys show a dramatic shift. Capgemini reports that 81% of affluent heirs plan to change their wealth managers. The reason is not a lack of expertise, but dissatisfaction with slow, opaque, and disconnected experiences.

Traditional private banking often resembles a black box: clients see limited transparency, receive quarterly reports, and rely on infrequent meetings. In contrast, new generations want data, control, and insights at their fingertips. EY research confirms this gap, noting that only 7% of Gen Z trust bank advisers for financial guidance. Digital-first wealth platforms like Sarwa and StashAway are stepping in to meet these demands.

The human role in private banking

Despite this shift, the human element remains essential. Relationship managers still play a critical role in building trust and offering tailored advice. However, many spend most of their time on administrative tasks rather than client-facing work. McKinsey estimates up to 70% of RM time goes to back-office processes.

For banks, the solution lies in rethinking the role of advisers and empowering them with technology that eliminates inefficiencies while elevating client engagement.

Digital tools that elevate wealth management

Digitisation should enhance, not replace, personal service. Clients now expect customisable dashboards that reflect estate planning, performance analytics, or ESG-focused investments. Both advisers and clients benefit when these tools deliver real-time insights that support collaboration.

In addition, clients want flexible access to their advisers. EY notes that 85% still value personal advice, but they prefer it delivered on their terms—through secure chat, video calls, or collaborative digital platforms.

How AI empowers relationship managers

Technology can give RMs the edge they need. AI tools identify risks, recommend diversification, and flag liquidity needs. When embedded in RM workspaces, these insights keep advice timely and proactive.

Automation further reduces administrative work, allowing advisers to spend more time building meaningful client relationships. This shift restores the core value of wealth management: trust, loyalty, and personalised advice.

From products to financial journeys

Wealthy clients no longer want just products; they want holistic support. They expect advisers to guide them through succession planning, family governance, philanthropy, and alternative investments. Global disruptors like Robinhood proved how fast expectations can change, and regional players such as Baraka are echoing this trend.

Reinventing the white-glove model

Private banking is not obsolete, but it must adapt. Banks that reinvent white-glove banking for digital-first clients will combine AI-driven efficiency with human empathy. By empowering advisers, streamlining processes, and blending digital convenience with trust, banks can keep this premium model relevant.

In the end, successful institutions will prove that strong relationships, enhanced by smart technology, remain the most valuable currency in wealth management.

Check out our previous post on Sobha Realty Green Sukuk marks $750m milestone

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The bank modernized its trade finance and cash management systems while upgrading to the latest Finastra Trade Innovation release. This ensures compliance with the ISO 20022 MX messaging standard. It also strengthens AlRayan Bank’s Shariah-compliant services and enables faster product launches, improved retention, and greater operational agility.

Driving Growth in Islamic Digital Banking

The implementation, led by IBC Solutions, reflects a commitment to seamless, mobile-first corporate banking. The upgrade improves time-to-funds, streamlines integration, and delivers more transparent services. These benefits align with evolving client expectations and market demands.

Omar Al Emadi, Acting Group CEO of AlRayan Bank, said this move supports the bank’s goal to be “the most trusted, Shariah-compliant financial institution at the forefront of innovation in Islamic banking.” The platform’s flexibility ensures the bank can meet customer needs while maintaining efficiency and security.

Secure, Modular, and Client-Centric

Finastra’s Corporate Channels unifies trade, supply chain finance, cash management, financing, and treasury services in one platform. Its built-in security features and real-time analytics help the bank adapt quickly to opportunities. Additionally, the API-enabled workflows allow easy integration and fast customization.

Houssam Itani, Group Chief Transformation Officer, said the solution “transforms banking into a smoother, more efficient, and personalized experience.” He added that it also accelerates the launch of new products.

Strengthening a Long-Term Partnership

AlRayan Bank’s collaboration with Finastra spans over 16 years. The bank also uses Finastra’s Essence core banking solution and Opics treasury management platform. This latest go-live reinforces a partnership focused on co-innovation and long-term digital transformation.

Manish Joshi, Vice President, APAC and EMEA, Lending at Finastra, highlighted the speed and quality of the implementation as “a shared achievement with IBC Solutions” and a milestone in advancing Islamic finance technology.

Strategic Value for the GCC

This launch highlights the GCC’s strong push into digital banking innovation, particularly in Shariah-compliant finance. Corporate clients are increasingly seeking secure, integrated, and mobile-ready services. AlRayan Bank’s transformation sets a standard for others in the region.

By combining Finastra’s technology with deep expertise in Islamic finance, the bank is enhancing its global competitiveness while meeting the specific needs of local clients. This positions it as a leader in the evolving digital banking landscape.

Check out our previous post GCC Assets Under Management Reach $2.2 Trillion in 2024

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Regional Leaders Driving Growth

Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to lead in retail mutual funds, supported by strong market demand and diversified investment strategies. Meanwhile, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi dominate in SWF management, leveraging their scale for strategic global investments.

Lukasz Rey, Managing Director & Partner and Middle East Head of Financial Institutions at BCG, noted that this growth underscores the GCC’s rising prominence:

Key Drivers and Opportunities:

The report attributes 2024’s revenue growth primarily to market performance, highlighting the industry’s sensitivity to external forces. Three global trends are shaping the future of asset management:

1-New Products for Changing Investor Demands

Asset managers have an opportunity to expand active exchange-traded funds (ETFs), model portfolios, and separately managed accounts. The retail private assets market—already over $300 billion—presents strong growth potential, though it requires simplified design, regulatory navigation, and better investor education.

2-Consolidation and Digital Transformation

Strategic partnerships and M&A are enabling firms to gain scale and boost technology capabilities. Larger asset managers can leverage operational synergies, while smaller players must adopt leaner, tech-driven models to remain competitive.

3-Cost Discipline with AI Integration

AI, including generative AI, is transforming front-to-back-office operations. From process automation to complex asset management, technology is enhancing efficiency, particularly for illiquid and alternative assets.

A Resilient Market Outlook

The growing focus on cost discipline, value creation, and advanced technology investment positions the GCC to strengthen its global standing.

With strategic diversification, technological adoption, and disciplined growth, the GCC asset management industry is poised to rival global leaders in the coming decade.

Check out our last post on Presight AI Risk Intelligence MoU with Dow Jones Factiva

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By combining Dow Jones Factiva’s deep expertise in legal, regulatory, and sustainability intelligence with Presight’s sovereign AI infrastructure, the collaboration aims to create predictive compliance systems that go far beyond today’s reactive models. Furthermore, these solutions will run in secure, sovereign-grade environments, meeting strict data residency and security requirements.

Transforming Risk Intelligence into Proactive Compliance

The joint innovations will integrate generative AI, explainable models, and real-time contextual reasoning. Consequently, compliance teams will gain the ability to spot risks early and act decisively. Planned initiatives include:

• KYC & UBO Agent – Mapping complex ownership structures worldwide.
• Sustainability Tracker – Monitoring environmental and compliance risks in real time.
• Legal & Policy Risk Agent – Detecting cross-border legal shifts before they impact operations.
• Adverse Media Monitoring – Using sentiment-aware analytics to flag reputational risks.
• Sanctions Intelligence Engine – Uncovering indirect exposure to sanctioned entities.

Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, explained:

“This collaboration brings together Dow Jones Factiva’s unmatched regulatory data and Presight’s sovereign-scale AI capabilities. It’s Applied Intelligence in action.”

Regional Focus with Global Ambition

Initially, the partnership will focus on GCC-based clients, including sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and Tier 1 banks. However, plans are already in motion to expand into Southeast Asia, North Africa, and the United States — regions where secure, intelligent compliance tools are in high demand.

Joel Lange, EVP and GM of Dow Jones Risk & Research, said:

“As challenges grow more complex, this collaboration could be a pivotal step toward next-generation risk solutions.”

A New Standard for Governance

Presight and Dow Jones Factiva aim to set a benchmark for compliance — making it auditable, autonomous, and future-ready. In today’s fast-moving, interconnected world, they are shaping governance into a proactive advantage instead of a reactive duty.

Check out our previous post on Epicor CMO Kerrie Jordan to Drive Global Marketing Growth

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As decentralized finance gains global traction, DeFi Technologies’ compliance strategy is setting a new benchmark in digital asset management. By aligning its infrastructure with regulatory requirements and future-proofing through quantum security, the company is redefining how traditional investors access and trust the decentralized economy.

How Infrastructure Experience Drives DeFi Technologies Compliance Vision

Chase Ergen’s background in satellite and telecom shaped his outlook on digital finance. Having worked on cryptographic systems at Dish Network in his teens, he grew fascinated with decentralized architecture. Discovering Bitcoin in 2010, he was less intrigued by the asset than the protocol powering it: a transparent, distributed network with real-time data security.

“Blockchain, telecom, and quantum encryption all share the same foundation: secure information over distributed systems,” says Ergen. “We’re connecting that legacy with next-gen finance.”

His early exposure to encryption now influences DeFi Technologies’ investment in quantum-secure systems, a critical step as AI and quantum computing become central to fintech’s evolution.

Making DeFi Accessible — Without Compromising Compliance

As the first Nasdaq-listed digital asset manager of its kind, DeFi Technologies has built trust frameworks that rival traditional institutions. With third-party audits, financial disclosures, and partnerships with tier-1 custodians, the firm ensures compliance while offering exposure to high-liquidity, secure protocols like Ethereum and Solana.

Importantly, DeFi doesn’t operate in a silo. “We collaborate with protocol developers to better assess risks and governance,” Ergen explains. Their DeFi Alpha division also creates volatility-aware trading strategies, marrying performance with regulatory alignment.

Strategic Growth: From Bitcoin Mining to 1,000 ETPs

The team behind DeFi Technologies co-founded HIVE Blockchain, the first publicly listed Bitcoin miner. They also introduced XBT Tracker to Nasdaq Stockholm in 2015—well ahead of institutional crypto adoption. That experience now fuels their product strategy.

Through Valour, the company has launched over 65 exchange-traded products (ETPs) and aims to cross 100 by the end of 2025. By 2030, they plan to offer 1,000 globally, covering everything from tokenized assets to stablecoins and quantum-secure infrastructure.

“We’re not just issuing crypto products,” says Ergen. “We’re building rails for the next wave of financial infrastructure.”

A Diversified Revenue Model, Built for Sustainability

DeFi Technologies earns fees through assets under management (AUM), similar to traditional fund managers. ETPs offer liquid, regulated access to crypto markets, while internal divisions like Stillman Digital (institutional services) and Reflexivity (research) further enhance revenue and agility.

Unlike speculative token-based projects, their model focuses on infrastructure, compliance, and risk-mitigated growth—elements that attract both retail and institutional clients.

Scaling Globally, Region by Region

As DeFi scales, compliance by jurisdiction is vital. The company is publicly listed in North America, active in Europe, and recently expanded into the UAE, which it views as a global regulatory innovation hub. According to Ergen, “Dubai and Abu Dhabi are shaping the narrative for secure and compliant crypto adoption.”

This flexible, region-by-region approach allows DeFi Technologies to grow responsibly without stalling innovation.

Planning for a Quantum-Driven Future

DeFi Technologies’ roadmap is future-oriented—both in product and security. The company is closely aligned with BTQ Technologies, a quantum cybersecurity firm chaired by CEO Olivier Roussy Newton. As quantum threats rise, the need for next-gen security becomes urgent.

“We’re not waiting for threats to arrive,” says Ergen. “We’re protecting the financial infrastructure of tomorrow—today.”

Check this out, previous news: Blockchain Applications Beyond Cryptocurrency in GCC Finance

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SC Ventures fintech growth in the Middle East is gaining strong traction, with the firm ramping up its presence through regional partnerships, venture creation, and digital asset innovation. As the venture arm of Standard Chartered Bank, SC Ventures is driving transformation by combining entrepreneurial thinking with global banking scale.

At the 2025 Dubai FinTech Summit, we spoke with Mohamed Fairooz, SC Ventures Lead for the Middle East, to explore the company’s strategy, recent expansion, and why the region is central to its innovation agenda.

A Distinctive Innovation Engine SC Ventures

Q: Can you start by giving us an overview of SC Ventures and what sets it apart?
Mohamed Fairooz: SC Ventures is the innovation and venture arm of Standard Chartered. Although we’re backed by the bank, we operate independently with a dedicated team, mandate, and entrepreneurial mindset. Since 2018, our goal has been to go beyond traditional banking to create impactful solutions that solve emerging financial needs.

Key Areas of Focus when it comes to SC Ventures

Q: What areas does SC Ventures focus on when building or backing ventures?
Mohamed: We concentrate on four key themes: online economies and lifestyle, SMEs and trade, digital assets, and financial inclusion. Whether the ideas come from internal teams or external collaborators, we remain open to innovation from any source.

Building From Within — and With Others

Q: What’s your approach to venture creation versus investing in existing fintechs?
Mohamed: We do both. Some ventures we build from the ground up; others we support through investment or co-creation. Our approach always emphasizes solving real-world problems. Ultimately, we’re ecosystem participants — not just investors.

A Region on the Rise

Q: You’ve expanded significantly in the region. What does that growth look like?
Mohamed: In just 18 months, we’ve scaled from two to seven ventures across the region, created over 150 jobs, and launched our Digital Asset Fund in the UAE. It’s a signal of our long-term commitment and belief in the MEASA region’s potential.

The Allure of MEASA

Q: What makes the MEASA region such an attractive market right now?
Mohamed: The shift is clear — there’s more capital, stronger regulatory support, and exceptional talent emerging locally. These conditions make the region a compelling launchpad for innovative financial solutions.

Aligning with DIFC

Q: Tell us more about your partnership with DIFC. What does that involve?
Mohamed: At the Dubai FinTech Summit, we announced a strategic partnership with DIFC. SC Ventures is now their official venture-building partner. This isn’t just symbolic — we’re working hand-in-hand to strengthen the local fintech ecosystem.

The Power of Collaboration

Q: Any other strategic partnerships you’re excited about?
Mohamed: Yes, we’ve signed over eight major partnerships with regional banks, family offices, and ecosystem players. Each collaboration enables us to scale faster and deliver more tailored, impactful solutions.

Final Thoughts

From venture building to co-creation, SC Ventures is helping to redefine the fintech narrative in the Middle East. As more partnerships take shape and the region opens up to experimentation, one thing is clear — innovation here is just getting started.

For more news, check out Stride Ventures Doubles Down on Saudi Arabia

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