The UAE has several crypto regulators: VARA in Dubai, the DFSA in the DIFC, the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market, and federal authorities elsewhere. VARA applies the Travel Rule to transfers of AED 3,500 or more.
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Glossary term
What is VARA?
VARA, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, is Dubai's dedicated regulator for virtual asset activities, established in 2022. It licenses and supervises virtual asset service providers across Dubai outside the DIFC financial free zone, and its rulebooks set AML, sanctions screening, and Travel Rule obligations alongside UAE federal anti-money laundering law.