From real estate to gold, Dubai’s VARA is piloting the tokenization of everything

From real estate to gold, Dubai’s VARA is piloting the tokenization of everything

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) CEO has revealed in an interview with the UAE Emirates News Agency (WAM) that it is working on new pilot projects after the success of the real estate tokenization pilot project with Dubai Land Department. The new pilot involves tokenization of Gold using DeFi.


Mathew White also noted that The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has so far issued 36 full licences to entities operating in the virtual assets sector, with several hundred at various stages of the licensing process.


He noted that the ecosystem now includes over 400 registered entities involved in activities ranging from proprietary trading to blockchain technology services and other supporting operations.


Speaking on the DLD real estate tokenization project he added that these will soon be available on trading platforms allowing more accessibility and liquidity in the real estate market.

In June White on LinkedIn announced that VARA was piloting a decentralized exchange project, (DEX), the first of its kind in the MENA region. DEX is a peer to peer marketplace where users can trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other without the need for a central intermediary, differing from centralized crypto exchanges.

According to Mathew White CEO of VARA in a LinkedIn post, ” The conversation around decentralised finance (DeFi) has evolved. Not long ago, the question was “Will it survive?”. Now it’s “How fast can we integrate it? At the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA], we don’t see DeFi as a threat to traditional finance (TradFi), but a high-efficiency tool for accelerating its evolution.”

White has stated out 2025 noting that it was the year of tokenization. In early January on Linked he had stated, ” Tokenized RWAs are on-chain representations of ownership in, or rights and obligations related to, assets like real estate, debt, equity, and other traditionally more illiquid financial assets. Tokenization can make them globally accessible and tradable, while also opening investment opportunities to individuals previously excluded from these asset markets.”

UAE Byzanlink tokenization platform to deploy on Hedera network

UAE Byzanlink tokenization platform to deploy on Hedera network

UAE based Byzanlink, a tokenization platform bridging traditional and decentralized finance, has partnered with the Hedera Foundation where in the first phase the company will integrate and deploy on Hedera Network, the enterprise-grade public network renowned for its high-performance and energy-efficient distributed ledger technology.

As per the press release, the collaboration marks a strategic step toward building a compliant, programmable infrastructure for tokenized financial assets. Byzanlink will leverage Hedera’s scalable and secure architecture to accelerate the development of tokenized real-world assets and expand institutional access to compliant, yield-generating financial instruments. The integration enables real-time settlement, increased transparency, and automated asset lifecycle management across a wide range of asset classes.

Byzanlink is developing an integrated platform that enables institutions, treasuries, and fintechs to interact with tokenized financial assets through a seamless and compliant framework. Through this integration, Byzanlink will leverage Hedera’s Network to ensure scalable deployment and real-time settlement for tokenized asset classes.

“We’re excited to collaborate with the Hedera Foundation as we bring real-world financial assets onchain,” said Anbu Kannappan, Founder and CEO of Byzanlink. “Hedera’s enterprise-grade capabilities align well with our vision of building secure, programmable, and transparent financial infrastructure for the future of global capital markets.”

Byzanlink is targeting the tokenization of over $100 million in real-world assets over the coming years, focused on enabling institutional access to secure, yield-generating financial instruments.

“Byzanlink’s infrastructure is aligned with our vision for enabling the next generation of institutional finance on Hedera,” said Vignesh Raja, Director of Business for Middle East & South Asia at Hedera Foundation. “We believe their model offers a compelling framework for tokenizing real-world assets at scale, and we’re proud to support their growth.”

Saudi Arabian NTDP recently invested in Byzanlink

Saudi Arabian NTDP ( National Technology Development Program), an entity aimed to transform Saudi Arabia into a tech leader by fostering sustainable development and innovation invested along with Outlier Ventures, Smart IT Frame, Sensei Capital as well as angel investors Murali Kulala (CEO, Smart IT Frame), Salman Butt (Co-founder, Salla), and Christopher, a seasoned fintech investor, along with several other prominent angel backers, a sum of $1 million in UAE based Byzanlink, a Blockchain enabled real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform bridging traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi), in a private funding round.

Binance launches new Sharia investment multi token staking product

Binance launches new Sharia investment multi token staking product

Binance has launched a new Sharia investment multi token staking product called Sharia Earn. As per Binance this is the first Sharia compliant multi token staking product. It is build on Binance’s Earn core products that include BNB locked products, ETH staking and SOL staking.

As per the announcement, with over 280 million users worldwide, Binance is committed to building products that serve the diverse needs of their global community. the announcement notes, “We’re proud to answer the call for faith-aligned crypto solutions because we believe the future of finance should be inclusive by design. And now, thanks to Sharia Earn, users can grow their crypto while staying true to Islamic finance principles.”


While conventional staking products follow standard financial models, Sharia Earn is uniquely structured to align with the core tenets of Islamic finance. Certified by Amanie Advisors, a globally respected Sharia advisory firm, users’ assets are carefully managed in full accordance with Islamic finance principles, in particular such as no interest (riba), no excessive uncertainty (gharar), no exposure to haram sectors like alcohol, gambling, or adult content.

Users can also view the Sharia Compliance Certificate for Sharia Compliant Earn Products, issued by Amanie Advisors on 2025-07-01, signed by Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar, confirming Sharia Earn’s adherence to Sharia principles.

Through a Wakala agreement, users’ staked crypto supports Halal blockchain ventures; all protocols are screened for ongoing Sharia compliance, ensuring full transparency in how rewards are generated and distributed. For more details on the reward mechanisms, please refer to our Sharia Earn, Simple Earn Locked Product, ETH Staking & SOL Staking FAQs.


For BNB, rewards are generated on-chain through the Simple Earn Locked Products. Users receive halal rewards daily at a variable rate, paid directly to their Spot Accounts. Users maintain full visibility and control throughout and can choose to withdraw early at any time, at the cost of forfeiting accumulated rewards. For more details, please refer to our Simple Earn Locked Product FAQs.

For ETH and SOL, users receive WBETH and BNSOL upon subscription. These liquid staking tokens increase in value over time regularly per the staking rate of return displayed on the product pages. This is reflected in the regular update of WBETH & BNSOL’s exchange rate on the product pages – illustrating both the staked assets and halal rewards earned. Users can redeem them at any time for ETH or SOL, including all accrued value. For more information, please refer to our ETH Staking & SOL Staking FAQs.

The mechanics of BNB Locked Products, and ETH Staking & SOL Staking take effect through the Wakala agreement and the structuring of the Sharia Earn Terms of Use and have been reviewed by Sharia scholars and deemed to be Sharia Compliant for our Islamic users. More information can be found here.

Sharia Earn will be available for users in the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey (.com), United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan.

Binance will announce as availability expands to additional jurisdictions.


Sharia Earn is part of our broader vision of a truly global and inclusive financial system. It embodies our personal values, centered on fairness, transparency, and shared prosperity. To celebrate the launch of Sharia Earn, we’re running exclusive launch promotions with up to $100,000 in crypto rewards.

Campaign 1: Subscribe to Sharia Earn, Earn Points, and Share $80,000 in USDT Rewards

Promotion A: Subscribe & Earn Subscribe or stake a minimum amount to any eligible Sharia Earn product and climb the leaderboard to win a share of $60,000 in USDT rewards.

Promotion B: New User Exclusive The first 5,000 eligible new users who subscribe at least 20 USDT to any eligible Sharia Earn product may receive a 4 USDT token voucher from a 20,000 USDT reward pool on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campaign 2: Red Packet Giveaway: Share Up to $20,000 in USDT Rewards

Promotion A: Register for a Binance account and complete identity verification (KYC), then subscribe to any eligible Sharia Earn product during the Promotion Period. The first 2,000 users will each receive a $5 USDT Red Packet on a first-come, first-served basis.

Promotion B: Refer a friend who registers for a Binance account, completes identity verification (KYC), and subscribes to Sharia Earn. Once complete, both the referrer and their referred friend will each receive a $2.5 USDT Red Packet. This Promotion is capped at 1,000 referrers and 1,000 referees on a first-come, first-served basis. Each referrer can receive a maximum of 2 Red Packets only.

Crypto.com keeps adding crypto payment partners in UAE, latest Emirates Airlines

Crypto.com keeps adding crypto payment partners in UAE, latest Emirates Airlines

After signing up with Emarat Energy, Dubai Land Department, and Dubai Duty Free, Crypto.com has signed a deal with Emirates Airlines to allow its customers to make crypto payments using crypto.com’s exchange services.

The partnership, which is expected to come into effect next year, is aimed at tapping into “younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies”, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.

Earlier in the year, Air Arabia announced that it would be allowing AED stablecoin payments using the AE Coin, as did Abu Dhabi taxi service.

The agreement today signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ chief financial & group services officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, along with Mohammed Al Hakim, president of Crypto.com’s UAE operations will offer more diverse digital asset payment services.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and CCO stated, “Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies.”

“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC,” said Eric Anziani, president and COO of Crypto.com.

Dubai Land Department, crypto real estate payments in October 2025

Dubai Land Department, crypto real estate payments in October 2025

While PRYPCO MINT, the first licensed real estate tokenization platform, in partnership with Dubai Land Department, Dubai’s Regulatory Authority, and powered by Ctrl Alt blockchain, announced two new tokenized properties for investment, Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai, Senior Director of real estate policies and Innovation at Dubai Land Department also announced that soon it will all include crypto payments in October 2025.

In a recent LinkedIn post Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai noted that Crypto is coming as well as more opportunities in the real estate industry. He stated, “We are disrupting the industry big time. Hopefully we see soon investors and tenants paying in Crypto. Crypto traders buying real estate tokens, brokers getting commission in crypto and service charges paid in crypto.”

He also announced that due to the great success of Real estate tokenization project, They would be extending phase 1 of tokenizing ready properties till September 2025. He explained, “More properties will be tokenized soon by VARA licensed entities.” Finally he noted that in phase two cryptocurrency will be added in October. He explained, ” In phase two, we will add crypto currency to the model, expected October this year.”

Crypto.com and DLD sign agreement for including crypto in real estate sector

Just this week, Dubai Land Department and Crypto.com global crypto exchange recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to explore the use of Blockchain and digital currencies or crypto in the real estate sector. As per the announcement, the initiative is part of Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 that aims to build a smart, sustainable, real estate ecosystem using advanced technologies such as blockchain, and digital assets as well as tokenization.

PRYPCO announces two new tokenized properties

As for now PRYPCO Mint has announced that they are bringing a stunning apartment in Dubai Marina, and a beautiful viall in Dubai Land. In their X post they noted, “Get ready before launch. Stay tuned and keep your wallets ready!”

PRYPCO Mint already sold two tokenized properties. The first fully funded property attracted 224 investors from over 40 nationalities, with an average investment amount of $2,900. On the heels of the success of the first tokenized property listing in UAE and MENA, which brought in investments of over $700K, PRYPCO then did their second tokenized property worth $650K which was also a success.

QNB launches First regulated tokenized fund for UAE and MENA

QNB launches First regulated tokenized fund for UAE and MENA

During the Qatar Economic Forum, there was alot of discussions about cooperation between Financial zones collaborating on joint initiatives especially between Qatar and the UAE. Today this news on Qatar National Bank ( Singapore Branch) and DMZ Finance, a blockchain financial technology company also headquartered in Singapore have received the first MENA regulated tokenized money market fund from Dubai Financial Services Authority, the regulatory body at DIFC in Dubai UAE.

For those unfamiliar with the term money market fund, it is a type of mutual fund that invests in low-risk, short-term debt securities like Treasury bills, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit.

As per the press release, QNB, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, will serve as the fund’s lead originator and investment manager. DMZ Finance, acting as co-originator, providing the exclusive tokenization infrastructure powering the fund.

RWAs are increasingly recognized as a critical bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). According to a recent report by Ripple and BCG, the market for tokenized RWAs is projected to grow to USD18.9 trillion by 2033 under a midpoint scenario.

Mr. Silas Lee, CEO of QNB Singapore, highly praised the successful launch of QCDT. He stated, “QCDT is not only the first DFSA-approved tokenized money market fund in Dubai but also a pivotal step in QNB’s digital asset journey. It marks a new phase in our strategic roadmap and lays a strong foundation for the future of multi-asset tokenization. As the Middle East rapidly emerges as a global hub for financial innovation, the successful deployment of QCDT further consolidates QNB’s leadership in the regional financial ecosystem and reflects our long-term vision to shape the next generation of financial infrastructure.”

Mr. Nathan Ma, Co-Founder and Chairman of DMZ Finance, emphasized: The tokenization of real-world assets is becoming a fundamental bridge between traditional capital markets and the digital asset economy. DMZ Finance is working closely with regulatory and financial institutions across the Middle East and other emerging markets to promote the compliant development of RWA infrastructure. Our commitment is to build a secure, efficient and transparent financial buffer between on-chain and off-chain markets.

QCDT strengths will be in its offering of stable yield, institutional-grade custody, on-chain transparency and regulatory endorsement, QCDT sets a benchmark for compliant tokenized financial products in the Middle East.

QCDT is designed to serve a wide range of institutional use cases: as eligible collateral for banks, mapped collateral for centralized exchanges, reserves for stablecoins and a foundational layer for Web3 payment infrastructure.

TON clarifies Golden Visa initiative

TON clarifies Golden Visa initiative

TON Foundation ( The Open Network) has issued a clarification regarding its UAE Golden Visa initiative, saying that the announcement was published prematurely and that the initiatives stems from a collaboration between TON and a licensed partner specialized in blockchain and tokenized assets and has nothing to do with UAE governmental entities.

As per the medium post, TON noted, ” With regards to premature announcement that circulated on X regarding a UAE Golden Visa initiative offered by TON. While we understand the community’s interest and enthusiasm, it’s necessary to provide clarity. The initiative in question stems from an independent collaboration between TON and a licensed partner specializing in blockchain infrastructure and tokenized assets. This exploratory effort is developing outside of any formal arrangement with the UAE government entities.”

TON assets that there are no official Golden Visa program launched in partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates, nor has any governmental endorsement been granted to TON.

Collaboration with Blockchain entity for Golden Visa initiative is in early stages

TON explained that the collaboration is in the early stages of development and is part of a broader effort to explore how compliant, blockchain-based frameworks might eventually support real-world access to residency pathways.

TON assets that any offering would be subject to all applicable laws and regulations and that application alone does not guarantee visa issuance, the authority for which remains at the discretion of the relevant UAE government bodies.

TON Supports UAE government statement

In the post TON also expressed their support for the joint statement issued by by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which confirms that no digital residency or investment visa initiatives have been formally approved or launched in partnership with the UAE government.

TON notes that this aligns with their position as the initiative is being developed independently by TON and their blockchain partner.

TON states, “We welcome the clarity provided and appreciate the UAE’s ongoing commitment to regulatory transparency. Should official involvement emerge in the future, it will be communicated transparently and through the appropriate channels.”

The clarification comes after TON spun out of Telegram, unveiled what it described as a new pathway to United Arab Emirates residency, offering 10-year golden visas to applicants who stake $100,000 worth of Toncoin for three years and pay a one-time $35,000 processing fee.

“Secure your Golden Visa in under 7 weeks from document submission to the Visa Office,” TON announced, detailing that its UAE-based partners will manage the visa processing and residency status confirmation.

However, the Emirates News Agency said later in a press release that the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the Securities and Commodities Authority, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority have issued a joint statement that golden visas are not issued to digital asset holders.

UAE homegrown OFZA crypto exchange appoints CEO

UAE homegrown OFZA crypto exchange appoints CEO

OFZA, the UAE homegrown and regulated cryptocurrency exchange, has appointed Amir Tabch as Chief Executive Officer to lead OFZA through its next stage of growth and market activation.

As per the press release, the leadership milestone reflects OFZA’s deepening commitment to building the most trusted crypto exchange in the region—one that’s designed from day one to align with regulations, empower users, and scale without shortcuts.

A seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience across large regulated financial institutions, digital-led startups, and crypto-native platforms, Tabch brings the kind of strategic leadership that matches OFZA’s mission: to make digital asset trading safe, simple, and accessible for everyone.

“OFZA isn’t here to be the biggest. We’re here to be the most trusted,” said Tabch. “That means regulatory-first principles, real operational substance, and a platform that puts both retail and institutional users first.”

Fully licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), OFZA is authorized to provide Broker-Dealer Services, Exchange Services, Management and Investment Services, and Advisory Services. The platform is built with local governance, regulatory clarity, and security-first architecture designed for long-term credibility.

The firm’s mission is to empower and educate individuals and businesses to take control of their financial future by simplifying crypto trading and removing barriers to entry. OFZA combines a secure, regulated infrastructure with an intuitive user experience and practical tools, making digital asset trading safe, simple, and accessible.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange to list first ever MENA blockchain based digital bond

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange to list first ever MENA blockchain based digital bond

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the largest exchange in the UAE and second largest exchange in the Middle East North Africa (MENA), has started the pricing stage as an initial step towards listing the first ever DLT ( Distributed Ledger Technology)/ Blockchain digital bond in the MENA region.

As per the announcement the DLT digital bond will be issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) using HSBC Orion, digital asset platform. The listing on ADX is a collaboration of all three entities powered by HSBC Orion which is operated by the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) in Hong Kong, and structured with support from leading international law firms, reflecting the high standard of governance.

HSBC Orion has led the way in the digitalisation of the capital market infrastructure. It facilitated the launch of the European Investment Bank’s first-ever digital bond in pound sterling2, and the world’s first multi-currency digital bond offering as well as the largest digital bond issuance for the HKSAR Government. HSBC is also the first bank in the world to offer tokenized ownership in physical gold.

Global investors can access the digital bond through accounts held with CMU, Euroclear and Clearstream, onboarding onto HSBC Orion as direct participant, or via their existing custodian who can participate through one of the above options.

Introducing the digital bond into ADX’s growing list of financial products supports its broader ambition to offer innovative financial instruments and signifies the Exchange’s pioneering role in introducing tokenized finance. Digital bonds, fixed-income securities issued and recorded on blockchain technology, offer operational efficiencies, improved settlement cycles, reduced counterparty risk, improved security and enhanced transparency for institutional investors.

HSBC acted as the sole global coordinator, lead manager and bookrunner on the transaction, and played a central role in bringing the end-to-end blockchain-based issuance to the MENA region.

Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX, said, “The successful issuance of MENA’s first blockchain-based digital bond, in close collaboration with FAB and HSBC, marks a defining moment in our journey to transform capital markets through innovation. ADX was central in facilitating this milestone, ensuring the bond’s seamless integration with existing post-trade infrastructure and compatibility with global settlement standards.”

He added that this initiative not only expands access to institutional grade digital instruments but lays the foundation for broader class of tokenized assets which include green bonds, sukuk, real estate linked products and more. He noted, ” It reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global financial centre. It aligns with the UAE’s national agenda to build a diversified, technology-driven capital market anchored in transparency, resilience, and long-term growth.”

Lars Kramer, Group Chief Financial Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), also explained, “This milestone marks a significant advancement in our innovation journey, establishing FAB as the issuer for the first blockchain-based digital bond in the MENA region. Together with ADX and HSBC, we are setting new benchmarks in efficiency, transparency, and security, while aligning with the UAE’s progressive regulatory framework. We are supporting investors navigate the global digital assets landscape. This bond issuance accelerates the development of a robust digital capital markets ecosystem in the UAE.”

Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, added that the successful launch of MENA’s first digital bond on ADX using HSBC Orion shows how they are transforming the promise of tokenization into reality within the MENA region. He explains, “This is a significant milestone towards a future where digital assets become a mainstream part of the Middle East’s financial landscape.”

This comes after the Securities and Commodities Authority in UAE issued its security and commodity token regulation.

Crypto mining platform Hut 8 to enter the UAE

Crypto mining platform Hut 8 to enter the UAE

Hut 8 (NASDAQ:HUT) an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, has registered to open an office in Dubai UAE. The company also disclosed it had raised $220 million to purchase Bitcoin and mining infrastructure and has announced that by March 2025 it has approximately 10.8 GW of development capacity.

The announcement was published in an article in Bloomberg. CEO of Hut 8, Asher Genoot noted that the new Dubai office would enhance the precision and efficiency of Hut 8’s capital strategy.

Hut 8 confirmed to Bloomberg that the Dubai office would house a new team focused on trading and digital asset strategies. The company already operates facilities in Texas, New York, and Alberta, Canada.

Hut 8 joins UAE based Phoenix Group, as well as Marathon Digital Holding who also have operations in the UAE. The UAE has been building its data center capacities as it seeks to lead in both AI and digital asset infrastructure.

In March 2025, Hut 8 announced the launch of American Bitcoin Corp. (“American Bitcoin”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Hut 8 focused exclusively on industrial-scale Bitcoin mining and strategic Bitcoin reserve development. The launch of American Bitcoin follows the strategic contribution of substantially all of Hut 8’s ASIC miners to and in exchange for a majority interest in American Data Centers, Inc., a company formed by a group of investors including Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. In connection with the transaction, American Data Centers, Inc. was subsequently renamed and relaunched as American Bitcoin.

However a Hut 8 spokesperson told Bloomberg that the Dubai office is not related to its relationship with American Bitcoin.

Other countries such as Oman have also invested heavily in powering datacenters for Bitcoin mining and other applications.