Dubai Land Department and VARA to enable fractional real estate ownership with tokenization

Dubai Land Department and VARA to enable fractional real estate ownership with tokenization

The UAE governmental entity, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has partnered with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to link the real estate registry to property tokenization through an advanced governance system. The collaboration aims to enable the fractional ownership of real estate assets, allowing a broader base of investors, particularly small investors, to enter Dubai’s real estate market. This contributes to greater economic inclusion and enhances the sector’s appeal to global investments.

This agreement follows the launch of the pilot phase of the “Real Estate Tokenization Project.” In line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Real Estate Tokenization Project for property title deeds. As per the announcement, the initiative, introduced under the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES,’ establishes DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through SandBox Real Estate.

It was signed in the presence of Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, and Marwan bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Land Department, alongside senior officials from both entities.

The project also supports the objectives of the “Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033” to grow real estate transaction volume to $272 billion equivalent to AED1 trillion, and contributes to the goals of the “Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” which seeks to double the emirate’s GDP over the next decade.

Helal Almarri affirmed that the agreement reflects the spirit of innovation and integration between Dubai’s government and digital sectors, noting that real estate tokenisation represents a qualitative leap toward a more inclusive and transparent investment model.

For his part, Marwan bin Ghalita highlighted the importance of this step in driving real estate innovation, attracting technology companies, and enhancing the sector’s digital infrastructure.

UAE Tokinvest participates in DLD and VARA pilot for tokenizing property titles

UAE Tokinvest participates in DLD and VARA pilot for tokenizing property titles

UAE Tokinvest, a VARA regulated marketplace for real world asset tokenization, is participating with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority and Dubai Future Foundation, in the pilot for tokenizing property deeds and titles in Dubai.

The pilot announced this week is in line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Real Estate Tokenization Project for property title deeds. The initiative, introduced under the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES,’ establishes DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through Sandbox Real Estate.

DLD anticipates that this groundbreaking initiative will drive significant growth in the real estate tokenization sector, with its market value projected to reach AED 60 billion equivalent to $16 billion by 2033, representing 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

Scott Thiel, CEO & Co-Founder of Tokinvest, has shared his perspective on the significance of this milestone with Lara on the Block noting, “Dubai continues to set the global benchmark for real estate innovation, and the launch of the Real Estate Tokenization Project by the Dubai Land Department marks a transformative moment for the sector. The initiative not only reinforces Dubai’s leadership in blockchain adoption but also paves the way for a more inclusive, liquid, and efficient real estate market.”

He added that Tokinvest is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution. He explained, ” We are proud to be collaborating with key stakeholders in shaping the future of tokenized real estate. Through our regulatory expertise and technology-driven approach, we are excited to contribute to the success of this pilot, bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain in a secure and compliant manner. Tokenisation is no longer a concept, it’s a reality that will open up Dubai’s real estate market to a global pool of investors like never before.”

Tokinvest is looking forward to working closely with the DLD, VARA, and other industry pioneers to establish best practices and drive meaningful adoption. Thiel notes, “This is the beginning of a new era for real estate investment in Dubai, and Tokinvest is committed to playing a key role in this transformation.”

Already Tokinvest, has carried out strategic partnerships connecting 1 billion people to tokenized real estate, investment funds, and alternative assets. The partnerships cross geographies that include UAE, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond to establish a global tokenization infrastructure. They include UDPN (Hong Kong): Developing a tokenized deposit and stablecoin infrastructure to power virtual asset adoption across MENA and Africa, InvestaX (Singapore): A MAS-licensed digital securities platform, enabling investors to access global RWAs and compliant security token offerings, Archax (UK), The first FCA-regulated digital securities exchange, providing brokerage, custody, and liquidity for tokenized assets in institutional markets, and HKVAX (Hong Kong): A regulated SFC-licensed virtual asset exchange, bridging institutional finance with blockchain-based asset issuance as well as Fasset (UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, the EU, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain and others) and StegX (EEA), A Frankfurt-based real estate tokenization marketplace, providing European investors with access to Dubai’s booming property sector.

Scott Thiel, CEO & Co-Founder of Tokinvest, said, “This isn’t just about partnerships; this is about building a global ecosystem that enables seamless access to tokenized real-world assets across multiple jurisdictions. With our expanding network, Tokinvest is positioning itself as a leader in unlocking previously inaccessible investment opportunities and redefining how people engage with high-value assets. Our reach now extends to potentially over 1 billion people, and we are only getting started.”

In the near future, Tokinvest is gearing up for the launch of its platform in April 2025, where investors will be able to access exclusive tokenised property investments in Dubai. Through its strategic partnerships, strong regulatory backing, and best-in-class technology, Tokinvest is paving the way for a new era of accessible, transparent, and efficient investing.

Dubai Land Department pilots tokenization of property title deeds

Dubai Land Department pilots tokenization of property title deeds

In line with the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched the pilot phase of the ‘Real Estate Tokenization Project for property title deeds. As per the announcement, the initiative, introduced under the Real Estate Innovation Initiative ‘REES,’ establishes DLD as the first real estate registration entity in the Middle East to implement tokenization on property title deeds. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through SandBox Real Estate.

DLD anticipates that this groundbreaking initiative will drive significant growth in the real estate tokenization sector, with its market value projected to reach AED 60 billion equivalent to $16 billion by 2033, representing 7% of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Land Department, stated, “Amid rapid technological advancements and the increasing reliance on digital solutions, real estate tokenization emerges as a revolutionary tool driving fundamental change in the real estate sector. By converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology, tokenization simplifies and enhances buying, selling, and investment processes.”

He added: “It aligns with our strategy to unlock new opportunities for innovative real estate products, enhance property sector innovation, promote transparency and governance, and enable a wider pool of investors to participate in large-scale real estate projects in Dubai.

The announcement comes in the midst of increasing focus on tokenization in the UAE, as well as the announcement between DAMAC Group and MantraChain to tokenize $1 billion worth of assets.


Dubai Freezone and Dubai Land Department to include blockchain and AI in proptech sector

Dubai Freezone and Dubai Land Department to include blockchain and AI in proptech sector

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have partnered to encourage the adoption of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, in the real estate sector, and Property technology sector (Proptech), while facilitating the establishment of companies and providing the necessary support to expand their business,

As per the press release, the collaboration aims to enhance research, development, and technological innovation, as well as ease of doing business in Dubai, and to contribute to the growth of emerging startups, small and medium innovative enterprises in the sector.

This partnership aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Grant Initiative, launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, in September 2024. Through one of the four priority sectors – Cognitive Cities – Dubai RDI will focus on Proptech, smart mobility, traffic management, and smart grids.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, and Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Land Department, at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of DIEZ.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said, “DIEZ is committed to providing a conducive environment for start-ups, SMEs and innovative projects in various emerging technology sectors. Dubai is a global destination for entrepreneurs and innovators with promising tech-focused ideas. Through our collaboration with active entities to contribute to building a future-ready economy in Dubai, such as the partnership with Dubai Land Department, DIEZ aims to enhance the emirate’s global position in attracting technology entrepreneurs and SMEs and providing everything they need to support doubling the size of Dubai’s economy and making it one of the top three global cities by 2033, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita said, “Through this partnership with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, we are committed to providing a conducive environment that encourages the adoption of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, in the real estate sector, while facilitating the establishment of companies and providing the necessary support to expand their business, aligning with the Real Estate Evolution Space ‘REES’ initiative we previously launched as part of our efforts to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), positioning the emirate as a key hub for innovation. We aim to enhance Dubai’s position as a leading destination for real estate innovation, in line with the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, particularly by establishing a comprehensive ecosystem based on modern technology and advanced digital solutions.”

this comes as Klickl, the Web3 financial platform out of the UAE, announced that it will enable real estate developer IMKAN offer international investors with secure, fast and flaxible options of alternative payments in high value sector such as real estate through cryptocurrency by converting crypto into AED. Klickl will offer cryptocurrency payment processing system.