The United Arab Emirates has been recognised as one of the most advanced digital asset markets globally, according to the Global Digital Assets Report 2025 released by the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) in partnership with Arthur D. Little.
Unveiled during the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, the report highlights the UAE’s regulatory leadership in fostering innovation while upholding investor protection and market integrity, setting new international benchmarks for digital finance governance.
The study’s findings reflect the region’s ongoing efforts to align digital asset regulation with global standards. It attributes the rise of stablecoins and tokenised assets to the introduction of structured licensing systems, sandbox environments, and institutional pilot projects across Gulf markets, placing the UAE at the forefront of this evolution.
According to the report, the UAE stands on par with Singapore and Switzerland in regulatory sophistication. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) are praised for their activity-based licensing models that balance innovation and investor safeguards. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s SAMA and Capital Market Authority (CMA) are advancing tokenisation pilots and cross-border payment oversight, and Qatar’s Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) is developing frameworks to integrate tokenised assets within existing financial laws.
Drawing insights from interviews with over 40 regulators, central bankers, and finance leaders from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the report notes that markets with clear regulatory frameworks are witnessing the highest levels of investor participation. The GCC now falls within this category, reflecting strong collaboration between the UAE and Qatar to promote responsible market growth and interoperability.
Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN, commented, “The data shows a region that has moved from aspiration to execution. Behind the numbers is a simple reality: capital follows clarity. The Gulf’s regulators are building frameworks designed for longevity, not hype. Their focus on interoperability and real-world tokenisation sets them apart from markets still testing the basics.”
Arjun Vir Singh, Partner and Head of Financial Services at Arthur D. Little Middle East, added, “Our collaboration with GFTN reflects Arthur D. Little’s commitment to evidence-based insight. The GCC’s frameworks demonstrate how clear policy design can accelerate market readiness and strengthen institutional confidence in digital finance.”
The GFTN Global Digital Assets Report 2025, produced in collaboration with Arthur D. Little, offers a comparative framework for policymakers and financial institutions assessing the evolution of digital currencies, tokenisation, and decentralised finance. Presented during the Singapore FinTech Festival (11–14 November 2025), it positions the GCC’s cohesive regulatory strategy among the most advanced worldwide, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation between regional authorities and international standard-setting bodies.
