Lexara Weekly · 6 Oct 2025 – 12 Oct 2025

VARA Intensifies Enforcement with High-Impact Actions in Dubai's Virtual Asset Market

This week, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) was notably active, issuing a high-impact enforcement notice penalizing 19 unlicensed firms, a significant increase from its usual activity. In contrast, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) also exceeded its baseline with four ministerial decisions, compared to its average of 1.7 per week. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) issued a new regulation, slightly above its baseline of 0.3 per week. This week's regulatory activity was characterized by a strong focus on enforcement and compliance, particularly in the virtual assets sector, as well as a continued emphasis on tax regulations. VARA's actions highlight a directional shift towards stricter enforcement, while the FTA's multiple decisions indicate ongoing adjustments in tax policy. Overall, the week was marked by significant regulatory developments, particularly in virtual assets and tax compliance, with no unusual quietness in activity.

Found automatically on regulators' websites and summarised by AI, without manual review. Not legal advice — check the official source before relying on any item.