How to Get a Virtual Assets License in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone

Billions move through digital assets every day. From tokenised payments and NFT marketplaces to blockchain-powered apps, the virtual assets space is expanding fast.

Dubai is one of the world’s most progressive hubs for this sector, providing a safe, regulated environment to build, test, and scale your virtual asset venture.

A Virtual Assets license is a type of  crypto license in Dubai that lets you operate legally and securely across a wide scope of activities. Think running a compliant exchange, safeguarding client holdings, enabling digital payment solutions, or creating apps that make buying and selling tokens as seamless as tapping a button.

With Meydan Free Zone, you can set up your licensed business and tap into Dubai’s innovation ecosystem.

Other Activities Auxiliary To Financial Service Activities - 6619.00

This activity is where finance meets innovation. Officially, it covers financial service activities that don’t fit into traditional banking or insurance. Think financial transaction processing and settlement activities (including credit card transactions), investment advisory services, mortgage advisory and brokerage, and trustee, fiduciary, and custody services carried out on a fee or contract basis.

In Dubai, this category would also apply to regulated virtual assets services under the oversight of VARA. In simple terms: this activity provides the framework for operating compliant virtual asset businesses in Dubai — whether that’s facilitating transactions, offering advisory services, or safeguarding client holdings in line with regulatory requirements.

It’s perfect for entrepreneurs, fintech innovators or blockchain developers who want to launch compliant crypto platforms, exchanges, payment solutions, or advisory firms in Dubai.

But there are boundaries.

You can’t act as an insurance agent or broker, and you cannot manage traditional investment funds. You can’t act as a bank, issue your own tokens without separate approval, or operate outside VARA’s approved activities.

Think of yourself as a crypto enabler in Dubai’s regulated crypto market— providing the platforms, services, and tools that let people trade, store, and interact with virtual assets safely and at scale.

Third party Approval:

No third-party approval needed for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.00 is exempted from this requirement.

Virtual Assets Proprietary Trading in Crypto-commodities - 6619.81

This activity covers trading crypto on your own account, meaning you’re buying and selling virtual assets for yourself or your company, not on behalf of clients.

Think of it as running your own crypto trading desk. You buy Bitcoin dips, sell Solana tokens, and manage the profits and risks yourself.

In simple terms: you’re the trader, the capital is yours, the risk is yours, and the profits are yours.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.81 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with any other activities.

Virtual Assets Advisory Services - 6619.82

This activity covers advisory and consultancy related to crypto, you’re not the trader. You help businesses and projects figure out tokenomics, security best practices, blockchain adoption, and go-to-market strategies.

You’re the crypto consultant behind businesses, providing strategy, structure, and compliance advice, for a clear path to launch.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.82 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services.

Virtual Assets Broker-Dealer Services - 6619.83

This activity is for being the middleman in crypto trades. You connect buyers and sellers, arrange deals, and make sure transactions go through smoothly.

From Bitcoing trades to altcoin swaps, you’re the licensed broker who makes crypto transactions happen, securely and legally.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.83 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services.

Virtual Assets Custody Services – 6619.84

This activity is for those responsible in keeping crypto safe. You provide secure storage for clients’ virtual assets, whether in cold wallets, hot wallets, or institutional-grade custody systems.

You’re the safekeeper. Investors trust you to hold their crypto securely, and you make sure it’s protected from hacks, loss, or misuse.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.84 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with any other activities.

Virtual Assets Exchange Services – 6619.85

This activity is for those who want to run their own crypto exchange. You operate the platform where buyers and sellers trade virtual assets, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to approved tokens.

Think of yourself as the marketplace, making crypto trading smoother and secure for your clients.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.85 is exempted from this requirement.

‍Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services.

Virtual Assets Lending and Borrowing Services - 6619.86

This activity covers regulated crypto lending and borrowing. You set up platforms or systems where people can lend their crypto to earn or borrow crypto assets against collateral.

But, you don’t act as a bank. You’re the regulated lender in the crypto space, making sure both sides of the deal are compliant from DeFi-style lending platforms to centralised platforms with crypto-backed loans.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.  

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.86 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services.

Virtual Assets Management and Investment Services – 6619.87

This activity covers managing crypto portfolios for clients. You handle diversified asset allocations, rebalancing, and investment strategies.

Think crypto hedge funds or managed staking portfolios — you’re the crypto portfolio manager, licensed to handle investments on behalf of clients.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.81 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services virtual assets custody services.

Virtual Assets Transfer and Settlement Services – 6619.88

This activity covers moving crypto safely and legally. You handle transfers, settlements, and even merchant payment processing in virtual assets.

Think cross-border transfers, merchant crypto gateways, to institutional settlement systems — you’re moving value from one wallet to another efficiently and legally.

Third party Approval:

Third party approval needed from VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) before you get your trade license.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:

Business activity 6619.88 is exempted from this requirement.

Disclaimer! This activity cannot be combined with virtual assets proprietary trading in crypto-commodities and virtual assets custody services.

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