Dubai's virtual assets regulator
What a VARA licence asks of your controls
Every virtual asset service provider licensed in Dubai answers to the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority under the rulebooks for its activities. We map those requirements to one control set and keep the evidence ready for your next review.
Get ready for your VARA review
The governance, AML, custody and cybersecurity side of your licence
VARA is Dubai's independent regulator for virtual assets.
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is Dubai's independent regulator for crypto and digital assets. Its framework covers exchange operations, custody standards, marketing rules and travel rule compliance, set out in activity-specific rulebooks. VARA reviews licence applications and supervises licensed firms on an ongoing basis. We map the rulebooks that apply to your activities, assess whether the controls exist and keep the evidence in one place.
One control set for the VARA rulebooks that apply to your activities.
Prepare the VARA licence application
VARA licensing is rigorous. You need detailed business plans, financial projections, governance structures, AML/CFT programs, custody protocols, technology architecture, and more, all reviewed by VARA before approval. The application process is complete and demanding. We map the rulebooks that apply to the activities you are applying for, identify readiness gaps and help you organize the policies, controls and evidence the application needs. Licensing remains solely at VARA's discretion.
Structured, activity-specific licensing readiness.
Map your crypto AML/CFT program
VARA requires complete AML/CFT programs adapted for virtual assets: blockchain analytics, wallet screening, transaction monitoring, travel rule compliance, and suspicious activity reporting. Crypto AML is fundamentally different from traditional finance. AccuSights maps the crypto-specific AML/CFT requirements, assesses whether the controls exist and keeps the evidence. Blockchain analytics, wallet screening and transaction monitoring run in the VASP's own tooling.
Crypto AML requirements mapped. Control gaps assessed. Evidence kept.
VARA's custody and security standards
VARA mandates institutional-grade custody: multi-signature wallets, cold storage, key management protocols, disaster recovery, insurance, and security audits. AccuSights maps the custody and key-management requirements, assesses whether the controls and procedures exist, and keeps the evidence VARA inspectors ask for. Custody and key management are operated by the VASP.
Custody requirements mapped. Controls assessed. Evidence kept.
Comply with VARA's Marketing and Promotion Rules
VARA regulates how you market virtual asset services: disclosure requirements, risk warnings, prohibited claims, approval processes, and more. We map the marketing rules that apply to you, check whether a review and approval procedure exists for promotional material, and keep the approval records. Reviewing and approving each piece of marketing stays with your compliance team.
Your compliance team approves the material; we check the procedure and keep the records.
Travel rule requirements
VARA applies the FATF travel rule requirements: collecting and transmitting originator and beneficiary information for virtual asset transfers. Travel rule compliance is technically complex and operationally challenging. AccuSights maps the travel-rule requirements, assesses whether documented controls cover the originator and beneficiary data flows, and keeps the evidence. Collecting and transmitting the data is done by the VASP and its travel-rule provider.
Travel-rule requirements mapped. Controls assessed. Evidence kept.
Prepare for VARA supervision
Supervision continues after the licence is granted. VARA conducts ongoing supervision through inspections, examinations, and regulatory returns. When VARA arrives, they expect immediate access to policies, procedures, transaction data, custody records, and compliance evidence. We keep that documentation current between visits, so the evidence is ready when VARA asks for it.
Evidence kept current between inspections.
Why Virtual Asset Firms Choose This Path
What VASPs get when the rulebooks are mapped to one control set.
VASPs using our platform:
Evidence for the Application
The policies, controls and evidence your VARA application needs, organised by rulebook. Licensing remains at VARA's discretion.
Ready for Inspection
Each control has an owner and current evidence, so an inspector asking for proof gets a document the same day.
Map Your Crypto AML
The blockchain analytics, wallet screening and travel-rule requirements mapped against your program, with gaps and evidence tracked. We do not screen wallets or transmit travel-rule data.
Secure Customer Assets
The institutional custody and key-management requirements mapped, assessed and evidenced. Custody and key operations stay with your own infrastructure.
Market Compliantly
A review and approval record for promotional material, checked against the disclosure and risk-warning rules.
Build Global Credibility
VARA licensing signals commitment to compliance, building trust with customers, partners, and regulators worldwide.
Built for VARA readiness and continuous virtual-asset compliance management.
Meet the VARA Requirements That Apply to You
VARA sets its requirements through activity-specific rulebooks. The platform maps the requirements, assesses implementation, keeps the evidence, tracks remediation, and validates selected technical controls through supported telemetry.
VARA currently identifies eight distinct regulated virtual-asset activities. Applicable rulebooks depend on the activities for which the VASP is applying or licensed. Each carries its own requirements across governance, operations, technology, AML/CFT, custody and marketing. We confirm which rulebooks reach you, map your controls to them, and keep the evidence in one place for VARA oversight.
We confirm which rulebooks apply to your activities and keep the evidence in one place.
VARA Licensing Requirements
What VARA asks of licensed VASPs