Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority
Full-service advisory for virtual-asset businesses in Dubai — exchanges, brokers, custodians, advisories and beyond — from perimeter analysis to approval and ongoing compliance.
What is VARA?
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is the world's first independent regulator built specifically for virtual assets, governing how digital-asset businesses operate in and from Dubai.
VARA licenses distinct activities — advisory, broker-dealer, custody, exchange, lending, management, and VA transfer & settlement. Selecting the right activity, and evidencing the controls behind it, is where most applications are won or lost. That is where we start.
How we help
We map your model to the correct VARA activity and confirm what is — and isn't — in scope before you commit.
We prepare the application, AML/CFT policy pack and responsible-individual documentation, and defend it through the review cycle.
Once approved, we keep you compliant — AML, KYC, governance, reporting and audit obligations, monitored on an ongoing basis.
FAQ
It depends on the activity you carry out — exchange, broker-dealer, custody, advisory and others each have their own category. We confirm the right one in a perimeter analysis.
Timelines depend on the activity and how ready your documentation and controls are. We give a realistic estimate for your situation after the initial assessment.
VARA-licensed entities are expected to maintain genuine local substance. We advise on the structure and the responsible-individual roles the regulator expects.
Your obligations begin — AML/CFT, reporting, governance and audit. We stay on as your compliance partner so those obligations are met without disruption.
Building trust in a decentralised world
Tell us your goals. In one confidential call we'll confirm the activities you need, the right structure, a realistic timeline and the exact next steps.
