The agreement enables Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) to grant approvals and licenses to crypto trading providers
The United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has signed an agreement with the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) to support and promote trading in crypto assets.
According to a statement released by the SCA on September 22, the agreement will see the DWTCA work toward a well-regulated crypto asset marketplace. The Dubai authority will also exercise supervisory powers regarding the “offering, issuance and listing” of cryptocurrencies within its free zone, the securities regulator said.
Under the arrangement, DWTCA is expected to operate within a defined framework in its daily dealings with crypto assets, including issuing licenses to financial firms that wish to offer crypto asset services.
The SCA, for its part, will continue to oversee and regulate the country’s financial markets. This responsibility includes ensuring adequate investor protection and conducting inspections of all providers operating within Dubai’s free zone.
The agreement comes as the UAE positions itself as one of the fastest-growing destinations for crypto adoption, further enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a global trading and financial hub.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DWTCA, said the collaboration between the Dubai authority and the national market regulator supports the city’s broader development goals and its transformation into an innovation centre.
He added that the agreement aligns with the Emirates Blockchain Strategy as the UAE seeks to become a global destination for blockchain research. He also highlighted growth in the non-fungible token (NFT) sector as a significant draw for investors.
This partnership clarifies regulatory roles between a local free-zone authority and the national regulator, aiming to create a stable, transparent environment for businesses and investors in the crypto sector. By combining licensing powers within the DWTCA’s jurisdiction with the SCA’s market oversight and investor safeguards, the framework is designed to encourage responsible innovation while mitigating risks.
Market participants operating in Dubai’s free zones can expect clearer licensing pathways and regulatory standards, which should help attract compliant crypto service providers and institutional interest. At the same time, the SCA’s continued enforcement and inspection mandate seeks to maintain market integrity across the UAE’s broader financial system.
Overall, the agreement is positioned as a strategic step to balance growth and protection: promoting the development of digital-asset services and blockchain technologies while maintaining safeguards that protect investors and uphold market stability.