The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a big step towards harmonizing its strategy to crypto regulation. The nation’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Dubai Digital Property Regulatory Authority (VARA) have introduced a strategic partnership to unify the UAE’s strategy to crypto rules.
In September, each regulators expressed their intention to work collectively towards unifying crypto frameworks within the nation. One characteristic of the partnership is that it’ll permit Dubai-based licenses to service your complete UAE, in accordance with a Wednesday announcement shared with Cointelegraph.
A VARA spokesperson informed Cointelegraph that the newest growth formalizes the settlement between the 2 regulators and “operationalises that intent” with concrete mechanisms.
“In essence, the 2024 MOU was a place to begin. The present partnership is its formal and practical implementation,” VARA stated.
Licensing reciprocity, not computerized passporting
Whereas the settlement establishes a mechanism for mutual recognition of licenses between SCA and VARA, it won’t provide computerized “passporting” of licenses throughout jurisdictions.
“Licensing reciprocity is a key characteristic of the partnership, however not computerized passporting,” the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson clarified that the settlement establishes a mutual recognition mechanism between the SCA and VARA.
Which means that a VASP licensed by one authority may be acknowledged by the opposite. Nevertheless, they are going to be topic to coordination protocols and relevant regulatory checks.
“This consists of AML/CFT assessments, operational readiness, and supervisory alignment, guaranteeing that nationwide safety and compliance requirements stay strong,” the spokesperson informed Cointelegraph.
For VASPs working and eager to function within the UAE, the partnership supplies regulatory readability, lowered duplication and a streamlined path to nationwide protection.
The VARA spokesperson stated this eliminates the necessity to navigate “separate, doubtlessly conflicting” approval processes, which “lowers operational threat and improves pace to market.”
“It additionally strengthens the UAE’s international attraction as a reputable, innovation-first jurisdiction with a unified strategy to digital asset oversight,” the spokesperson added.
SCA varieties committee to refine rules
The mechanisms embody a unified digital asset service supplier (VASP) registration framework, mutual license recognition, real-time knowledge sharing and joint supervision protocols, cross-jurisdictional Anti-Cash Laundering (AML) coordination and the formation of a Legislative Evaluation Committee.
The SCA accredited the formation of the committee, which is remitted to work with VARA to judge and refine crypto rules within the nation in step with worldwide finest practices. This indicators dedication from each events to construct a globally aggressive regulatory atmosphere.
Officers from each regulators described the partnership as a serious step in positioning the UAE as a frontrunner in crypto governance.
VARA CEO Matthew White referred to as the partnership “a pivotal second” within the journey to future-proof the UAE’s digital economic system. On the similar time, SCA CEO Waleed Al Awadhi stated transparency and belief are central to attracting funding.
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A broader effort to reinforce regulatory coordination
Whereas the current growth is a bilateral settlement between the SCA and VARA, the spokesperson informed Cointelegraph that it’s a part of a broader UAE effort to reinforce national-level regulatory coordination.
VARA stated that there’s an ongoing dialogue between different regulators, together with the Abu Dhabi World Markets (ADGM) and native and worldwide stakeholders to advertise interoperability, supervisory consistency and cross-border cooperation.
“Future collaborations stay a strategic precedence,” the spokesperson added.
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