Digital Asset Advisory License UAE

ISIC classification: Other activities auxiliary to financial service activities (6619)

Typically requires Designated Zone status for VAT purposes

About this activity

Advises institutions on digital-asset strategy, custody arrangements, and compliance obligations without taking custody of client assets.

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

Same VARA Advisory Services license as Cryptocurrency Consulting and Virtual Asset Advisory Services elsewhere in this dataset — VARA's lightest regulated tier at AED 40,000 application / AED 80,000 annual supervision / AED 100,000 minimum capital.

Genuinely important distinction to flag for this activity: advisory services that don't touch client funds, don't execute trades, and don't provide custody are generally the easiest VARA pathway to qualify for, and increasingly in demand as institutional investors (family offices, funds) look for credible advice before entering virtual-asset markets without wanting to become licensed exchange or custody operators themselves.

Dubai-only in practice given VARA's jurisdiction; 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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