crypto value received by the UAE in a year, up 33%, second in the Middle East and North Africa
Source: Chainalysis, 2025 Geography of Crypto Report (MENA)Data hub · Updated 8 October 2026
UAE crypto and Web3 statistics 2026
The latest numbers on crypto and Web3 in the United Arab Emirates: how many people own crypto, how much value flows through the country, licensed firms, stablecoins, tokenised property, companies and tax. Every figure links to its source. This page describes the market and is not investment or tax advice.
Compiled by Amal Perera, Founder and CEO, Proud Lion Studios · Updated Key statistics
Crypto in the UAE at a glance
of the UAE population own crypto, about 2.8 million people
Source: Triple-Ain crypto transactions through VARA-regulated firms in 2025, to 12 October
Source: Government of Dubai, via Gulf Todaycrypto firm licences issued by Dubai's regulator VARA, by June 2026
Source: VARA, via Cointelegraphof Dubai property is projected to be tokenised by 2033, 7% of transactions
Source: Dubai Media Office (Dubai Land Department)for Dubai's second tokenised property to sell out, to 149 investors from 35 countries
Source: Dubai Land Departmentcrypto and Web3 companies in the DMCC Crypto Centre
Source: DMCC Annual Report 2025of 36 countries in the Henley Crypto Adoption Index 2026, with 10/10 for tax
Source: Henley and Partners, Crypto Wealth Report 2026Growth in UAE crypto payments to merchants, by size
Year-on-year growth, July 2024 to June 2025
Crypto value received by the UAE, USD billion
Chainalysis reporting years, July to June
$34bn
$56bn
Jul 2023 to Jun 2024Jul 2024 to Jun 2025
Ownership, value and rankings
Crypto adoption in the UAE
What percentage of UAE residents own cryptocurrency?
30.4% of the UAE population own crypto, about 2.8 million people.
That is Triple-A's estimate. The UAE government's own 2022 survey found 11.4% of residents had invested in crypto, so ownership has grown fast, though the methods differ.
Source: Triple-AHow much crypto value does the UAE receive?
The UAE received upward of $56 billion in crypto between July 2024 and June 2025, up 33%.
That ranks second in the Middle East and North Africa, behind Turkey. The same Chainalysis report also cites $53 billion for the UAE in its regional ranking.
Source: Chainalysis, 2025 Geography of Crypto Report (MENA)Is crypto used for everyday payments in the UAE?
Small crypto payments to UAE merchants grew 88.1% in a year.
Chainalysis says this shows crypto moving from an investment towards a practical way to pay. Large retail payments grew 83.6% and professional transfers 79.5%.
Source: Chainalysis, 2025 Geography of Crypto Report (MENA)Where does the UAE rank in global crypto adoption?
The UAE ranks 2nd of 36 countries in the Henley Crypto Adoption Index 2026, up from 5th.
It scored 10/10 for tax friendliness and 46.4 out of 60 overall. Singapore ranks first. The UAE does not appear in the top 20 of Chainalysis' 2026 grassroots adoption index, which measures retail use per person.
Source: Henley and Partners, Crypto Wealth Report 2026; Gulf News; Chainalysis, 2026 Global Crypto Adoption IndexDo wealthy UAE investors hold crypto?
39% of affluent and high-net-worth UAE investors hold crypto, against 30% worldwide.
Only 20% of UAE holders manage crypto through their wealth manager (Avaloq, 2025).
Source: Avaloq, via Khaleej TimesWho regulates crypto, and how many firms are licensed
Regulation and licensing
How many crypto firms hold a VARA licence in Dubai?
VARA issued its 50th crypto firm licence in June 2026.
At the end of 2025, 39 licensed firms were fully operating. VARA says holding a licence does not always mean a firm has launched commercially.
Source: VARA, via CointelegraphHow big is Dubai's regulated crypto market?
Firms regulated by VARA handled nearly AED 2.5 trillion in crypto transactions in 2025, up to 12 October.
Assets under management passed AED 9.6 billion. The sector adds an estimated 0.5% to Dubai's GDP, about AED 2.2 billion.
Source: Government of Dubai, via Gulf TodayHow many crypto firms are licensed in Abu Dhabi?
More than 20 firms are licensed for virtual asset activities in ADGM.
They include broker-dealers, custodians, exchanges, asset managers and stablecoin issuers. ADGM has regulated virtual assets since 2018.
Source: ADGM| Regulator | Covers | Licensed or regulated firms |
|---|---|---|
| VARA | Dubai, outside DIFC | 50 licences issued (June 2026); 39 fully operating (end 2025) |
| ADGM FSRA | Abu Dhabi Global Market | 20+ firms (December 2025) |
| Central Bank of the UAE | Payment tokens and stablecoins | Payment Token Services Regulation, in force 31 Aug 2024 |
| VARA registered providers | Advisory, technology, proprietary trading | 600+ (October 2025) |
Dirham tokens, payment rules and government fees
Stablecoins and crypto payments
When did the UAE's stablecoin rules take effect?
The Central Bank's Payment Token Services Regulation has been in force since 31 August 2024.
Dirham payment tokens must be backed in dirhams, and issuers may not pay holders interest.
Source: Central Bank of the UAE RulebookIs there a dirham-backed stablecoin?
Yes. AE Coin is the first dirham stablecoin approved by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Network International became the first UAE payments platform to enable regulated stablecoin payments at scale through AE Coin, and RAKBANK received in-principle approval for its own.
Source: Gulf NewsCan you pay Dubai government fees in crypto?
Yes. Dubai Finance signed a deal with Crypto.com in May 2025 to accept government fees in crypto.
Payments are converted to dirhams before reaching government accounts. The deal is part of the Dubai Cashless Strategy.
Source: Gulf BusinessDubai's tokenised property market
Real estate tokenisation
How big will tokenised real estate be in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department projects tokenised property at AED 60 billion by 2033, 7% of all transactions.
This is an official projection, announced with the pilot in March 2025 alongside VARA and the Dubai Future Foundation.
Source: Dubai Media Office (Dubai Land Department)How fast did Dubai's tokenised properties sell?
Dubai's second tokenised property sold out in 1 minute 58 seconds.
It drew 149 investors from 35 nationalities, and the waiting list passed 10,700 investors (June 2025).
Source: Dubai Land DepartmentCan tokenised Dubai property be resold?
Yes. Resale trading opened on 20 February 2026 under Phase Two of the project.
Phase Two enables the resale of about 7.8 million tokenised property units.
Source: Unlock BlockchainHow many firms are building in the UAE
Web3 companies and ecosystem
How many crypto companies are in DMCC?
The DMCC Crypto Centre has more than 750 member companies.
It added 180 new members in 2025.
Source: DMCC Annual Report 2025How many fintech companies are in DIFC?
DIFC had 1,677 AI and fintech firms in 2025, up 35%.
That figure combines AI and fintech firms, so it is not a count of crypto companies only.
Source: Dubai Media Office (DIFC)How many crypto service providers work in Dubai?
More than 600 registered providers offer advisory, technology or trading services in Dubai without needing a full licence.
That is on top of the licensed firms, according to the Government of Dubai.
Source: Government of Dubai, via Gulf TodayVAT, personal tax and reporting
Crypto tax in the UAE
Is crypto taxed in the UAE?
Henley and Partners rates the UAE 10/10 for tax, with no tax on crypto trading, staking or mining for individuals.
This describes the general position for individuals. It is not tax advice; businesses should check corporate tax rules.
Source: Henley and Partners, Crypto Wealth Report 2026Is VAT charged on crypto in the UAE?
No. Transfers and conversions of virtual assets are exempt from VAT.
The exemption took effect on 15 November 2024 and applies back to 1 January 2018.
Source: DecryptWhen will the UAE start crypto tax reporting?
The UAE will implement the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) from 2027.
The first exchange of tax information is expected in 2028.
Source: Yahoo FinanceLarge investments from the UAE
Institutional money
What is the biggest UAE institutional crypto investment?
Abu Dhabi's MGX invested $2 billion in Binance, paid in stablecoins.
Binance called it its first institutional investment (March 2025).
Source: AGBIDo Abu Dhabi funds hold Bitcoin ETFs?
Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council held $763.69 million of BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF at 30 June 2026.
That is 22,940,629 units combined, from US 13F filings, which only show US-listed holdings.
Source: AletihadMethod and sources
How we put this together
Not investment advice
This page describes the market using published data. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any asset, or tax advice.
Different measures
Ownership surveys, on-chain value and licence counts measure different things. Licences issued are not the same as firms operating, and projections are targets, not results. We label each one.
How we source
Every figure links to the page we read it on. Where a primary report is not public, we link to the news coverage that reports it and name the original publisher. We do not round, combine or estimate figures.
Updates
We check this page every quarter, and when Chainalysis publishes its next Middle East chapter. Spotted a newer figure or an error? Email amal@proudlionstudios.com and we will update it.
Using these numbers? Please cite this page:
Proud Lion Studios, "UAE Crypto and Web3 Statistics 2026", updated 8 October 2026, https://proudlionstudios.com/uae-crypto-statisticsQuestions
About this data
What share of people in the UAE own crypto?
About 30.4% of the UAE population, or 2.8 million people, according to Triple-A.
How many crypto licences has VARA issued?
VARA issued its 50th licence in June 2026. At the end of 2025, 39 licensed firms were fully operating.
Can I use these statistics and charts?
Yes. You are welcome to quote any figure or use the charts on this page. Please cite Proud Lion Studios with a link to this page, and the original source named under each figure.
How often is this page updated?
At least once a quarter, and whenever a major new report is published. The date at the top shows the last update.
Build on blockchain in the UAE
Proud Lion Studios is a Dubai studio building tokenisation platforms, smart contracts, crypto payments and Web3 products since 2021.
