Cryptocurrency Payment Services License UAE

ISIC classification: Other financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding activities, n.e.c. (6499)

Typically requires Designated Zone status for VAT purposes

About this activity

Processes merchant payments settled in cryptocurrency, converting to fiat currency where required and managing transaction settlement.

Regulatory requirements

Requires external approval — Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) (Dubai) / Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) (other Emirates) & Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)

100% foreign ownershipYes

Facility requirementLicensed VARA/SCA-Compliant Office with Cybersecurity & Risk Controls

Market Analysis

One of four codes in this dataset (with Crypto Remittance Services, Digital Asset Payment Processing, and Virtual Asset Transfer Services) mapping to VARA's Transfer and Settlement Services category — AED 40,000 application fee, AED 80,000/year supervision, the lighter end of VARA's fee schedule.

"Cryptocurrency Payment Services" as naming sits closest to merchant/consumer payment use cases — accepting or facilitating crypto payments for goods and services — distinct in application from the remittance-specific framing of its sibling code, even though the underlying VARA license and cost are identical.

Dubai-only in practice; 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.

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