On July, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) made the decision to suspend BitOasis’ conditional license to engage in activities related to digital assets. This action by the Dubai regulator reflects the unique and innovative approach that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its domestic regulators have taken towards the regulation of digital assets.
The UAE’s strategy has been centered around providing regulatory clarity and guidance to entities that wish to participate in activities related to digital assets. Unlike the United States, which often brings charges without advance notice to industry participants, the UAE aims to give clear notice about the types of activities that are permitted and prohibited in the digital asset space.
One of the key factors that has enabled the UAE to implement such a progressive and responsive regulatory regime is its form of government. The UAE consists of seven emirates, with each emirate having the power to legislate on matters that are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the UAE federal government. This has facilitated intrastate competition in regulation, with each emirate having the ability to determine its own rules for digital asset regulation.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in particular, have emerged as leading players in attracting digital asset industry participants to their jurisdictions. These two cities have developed comprehensive regulatory frameworks that address the challenges faced by other jurisdictions. For example, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has provided clear guidance on the classification and treatment of different types of digital assets, including virtual assets like Ethereum and Bitcoin, as well as digital securities and other tokens.
Similarly, VARA has defined digital assets with specificity, encompassing any digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, transferred, used as a payment tool, or for investment purposes. This clear definition allows VARA to establish boundaries and enforce regulations effectively.
In contrast to the U.S. approach, which often leads to agency turf wars and confusion among industry participants, the UAE’s regulatory environment provides clarity and stability. Additionally, the UAE has addressed the issue of registration by providing clear roadmaps and requirements for businesses looking to engage in regulated activities. The ADGM and VARA have established processes for businesses to apply for licenses and permissions to operate in the digital asset space.
As a result of these progressive regulatory frameworks, the UAE has been recognized as a major crypto hub, and many companies are either relocating to the country or opening satellite offices there. The ability of the UAE to attract industry participants can be attributed to its forward-thinking approach and commitment to providing regulatory clarity and guidance.
Overall, the UAE’s approach to digital asset regulation stands in stark contrast to the U.S. approach, which often lacks advance notice, clarity, and coordination among different regulatory agencies. The UAE’s model of intrastate competition in regulation, coupled with clear definitions, guidance, and licensing processes, has created an environment where the digital asset industry can thrive. It will be interesting to see how other jurisdictions learn from and adopt similar approaches in the future.