Blockchain Infrastructure Services License UAE

ISIC classification: Data processing, hosting and related activities (6311)

Typically requires Designated Zone status for VAT purposes

About this activity

Provides and maintains the servers, node infrastructure, and network connectivity that blockchain-based applications and virtual asset platforms run on, without holding client funds or private keys.

Regulatory requirements

Requires external approval — Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) (Dubai) / Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) (other Emirates)

100% foreign ownershipYes

Facility requirementStandard Office Premises (Non-Custodial Technology Provider)

Market Analysis

Blockchain infrastructure work (node hosting, RPC endpoints, developer tooling, indexing services) is generally a standard tech/professional license, not a VARA-regulated activity — VARA's jurisdiction is virtual-asset *services* to clients (custody, exchange, advisory, etc.), and infrastructure providers who don't hold client assets or provide those specific services typically sit outside VARA's licensing scope entirely.

Sharjah is genuinely competitive here: SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) offers meaningfully cheaper base licensing (~AED 9,000-10,000 in this dataset's figures) than Dubai's equivalent professional/tech licenses, and there's no VARA-driven reason to prefer Dubai for infrastructure work the way there is for custodial or exchange activities.

Genuinely useful UAE-specific context: several blockchain infrastructure and development firms operate out of Sharjah specifically because of this cost advantage combined with proximity to Dubai's crypto ecosystem for client relationships.

100% foreign ownership applies.

Available in: . A detailed per-emirate fee breakdown isn't published for this activity yet — check back soon, or get a scored recommendation for your specific business below.

Mainland or free zone for this activity?

Scout compares your total cost across both routes, not just the licence fee.

Get your ranked shortlist