What follows is a practical, newspaper-style guide to how the UAE framework works in real terms—and what it means for anyone planning to set up a crypto business here. The Core Reality: One Country, Multiple FrameworksThe UAE is a federal state, and crypto regulation is split across emirate-level and federal-level authorities. At the federal level, the UAE has also formalized a national layer of virtual asset regulation through Cabinet Resolution No. It does not automatically authorize you to conduct regulated virtual asset activity. Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) where activities overlap with payment systems, stored-value, payment tokens, remittance-like rails, or retail payment services regulation.

Source: The Nation January 02, 2026 11:38 UTC