Choosing a UAE regulator: CBUAE, VARA, ADGM or DIFC

The UAE offers several regulatory routes. The right one depends on your activity, target customers and where you want to operate.

Onshore payments

The Central Bank of the UAE regulates retail payment services and stored-value facilities onshore.

Virtual assets

VARA oversees virtual-asset activity in Dubai (outside DIFC), while ADGM's FSRA and DIFC's DFSA operate their own financial-free-zone frameworks.

Making the choice

We assess activity scope, capital, substance and banking implications to recommend the route that fits your business model.