Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and Securitize Corp. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance tokenization and digital asset infrastructure in the emirate.
The agreement, finalized on Tuesday, establishes a framework for collaboration focused on knowledge sharing, ecosystem development, and regulatory engagement. It aims to support tokenization initiatives within Dubai’s regulatory framework while maintaining market integrity and investor protection standards.
Under the MoU, the parties will explore opportunities to support tokenization projects in Dubai, including initiatives facilitated by VARA and broader virtual asset ecosystem participants. Key areas include talent attraction, market education, data-driven research, and the evolution of tokenized financial products.
Securitize, which manages approximately $5 billion in assets under management as of August 2026, operates regulated digital-securities infrastructure in the U.S. and EU. The company partners with asset managers including Apollo, BlackRock, BNY, Hamilton Lane, KKR, and VanEck.
VARA, established in March 2022, regulates virtual assets and related activities across Dubai’s commercial zones, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre. The regulator has positioned Dubai as a forward-looking jurisdiction for digital asset innovation.
Carlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO of Securitize, said the partnership aligns with Dubai’s vision of building a trusted, well-regulated digital asset ecosystem that enables responsible innovation and brings capital markets onchain. Matthew White, VARA CEO, emphasized Dubai’s ambition to shape the future of financial markets through regulatory frameworks and market infrastructure that foster institutional confidence in new technologies.
