Regulatory landscape in the United Arab Emirates shifts as a new financial law expands oversight of DeFi and digital assets within the formal framework. The Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2025 took effect on September 16, 2025, marking a pivotal milestone for market participants and investor protection in a rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem.
Industry counsel notes the decree broadens supervision to include protocols, DeFi platforms, middleware, and infrastructure providers involved in payments, exchange, lending, custody, or investment services, bringing them under the Central Bank of the UAE oversight regime.
With a transition window through September 2026, firms should align governance, controls, and technology stacks to meet Articles 61 and 62, which require CBUAE approval for eligible activities and digital asset operations across the local financial system.