The UAE has ranked in the top of the world’s leading authorities in digital asset regulation, according to the Global Digital Assets Report 2025, launched by the Global Finance & Technology Network in conjunction with Arthur D. Little.
The findings were presented at the Singapore FinTech Festival. According to the report, the UAE’s regulatory advancements are setting new global standards for innovation in investor protection and market integrity.
The United Arab Emirates ranks alongside Singapore and Switzerland in regulation maturity.
The UAE was credited with significant regulatory measures, notably through the operations of the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). These bodies have implemented activity-based licensing systems designed to bridge innovation with robust investor protection.
The report is based on interviews with over 40 regulators, central bankers and financial executives across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The study also highlighted that investor participation is on the rise, particularly in jurisdictions with clear regulatory structures.
Neighbouring GCC states are making similar moves to the UAE, with Saudi Arabia’s regulatory bodies and Qatar’s Financial Centre Regulatory Authority enhancing their oversight of tokenisation and digital asset initiatives.
