UAE stock market regulator, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority agree to support crypto assets trading

UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) have signed an agreement to support crypto assets trading and related financial activities within DWTCA’s freezone.

The agreement establishes a framework that allows DWTCA to issue the necessary approvals and licenses for financial activities relating to crypto assets. According to the agreement, SCA will oversee, monitor, and inspect entities operating within DWTCA’s freezone.

DWTCA has signed the agreement to expand its existing business licenses, services and incentives. In collaboration with DWTCA, SCA will handle the regulatory oversight of the issuance, offering, listing, and trading of crypto assets as well as the licensing of the associated financial activities that fall under DWTCA’s jurisdiction.

“الأوراق المالية” وسلطة مركز دبي التجاري العالمي توقعان إتفاقية لتنظيم الأصول المشفرة

للمزيد من التفاصيل: https://t.co/Fm9bHdM0hNhttps://t.co/Z4vTdnSO51 pic.twitter.com/yWop1x635L

— SCA UAE (@sca_uae) September 23, 2021

The SCA aims to build a sustainable investment environment and safeguard the rights of investors, as well as promote sound practices, a statement said.

Meanwhile, the DWTCA offers a well-regulated ecosystem for businesses seeking local and international opportunities, while its freezone provides an environment for startups, SMEs and corporations to operate locally while reaching global markets.

Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi, acting chief executive officer of SCA, said: “The SCA will be responsible for the regulatory supervision of offering, issuing, trading and listing crypto assets and the licensing of financial activities related to them within the limits of the DWTCA freezone. The SCA will also supervise, control and investigate the licensed entities that operate within the free zone.”

“The Dubai World Trade Centre Authority is committed to expanding its services as a freezone of choice for the international investment and entrepreneurial community,” added Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

“As Dubai continues its drive towards an innovation and digital-led economy, DWTCA is looking to support businesses underpinned by blockchain and cryptographic technologies. Our agreement with the Securities and Commodities Authority will allow DWTCA to broaden its regulatory, licenses and services capabilities, in addition to extending the centralised supervision of the crypto market to our freezone.”

“With the rise of new technologies such as non-fungible tokens set to play an important role in the future of commerce, and building on the Future Blockchain Summit, DWTCA is also pursuing ways to offer a sustainable home for this ecosystem, in order to stay future ready,” he stated.

“The UAE has been at the forefront of blockchain research and implementation and our ambition is in line with the Emirates Blockchain Strategy.”

The SCA and DWTCA also aim to exchange best practices relating to the project, as well as deliver mutual technical support to enhance understanding of both organisations’ financial systems. The partnership will also include the provision of professional services that specify the responsibilities and obligations of both parties, the statement added.