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Dubai OTC Crypto Desks Operate Under VARA Rules and UAE Tax Framework

Dubai's over-the-counter crypto trading desks facilitate bilateral transactions for institutional clients, with transaction minimums typically starting around $100,000. Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority had issued approximately 50 crypto licenses by June 2026. The UAE applies a 0% personal tax on crypto gains, while crypto-to-crypto transfers remain VAT-exempt.

Published Source: FinanceFeeds
Issuing authority
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Jurisdiction
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Stage
Final rule
Official document
Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022
Official source
news.google.com

Over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency trading in Dubai operates outside public exchange order books, with buyers and sellers negotiating bilateral trades through licensed desks that provide fixed-price quotes, FinanceFeeds reported. Quotes typically remain valid for around 10 seconds, and minimum transaction thresholds on Dubai OTC desks generally start around $100,000 to minimize slippage and broader market impact.

Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022, had granted approximately 50 crypto licenses by June 2026, while the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) provides an additional regulatory route in the UAE. Major OTC market participants named in the UAE include Binance FZE, OKX, Crypto.com, Laser Digital, Fuze Finance, CoinMENA, and Rain ADGM.

From a fiscal perspective, the UAE imposes a 0% personal income tax rate on crypto gains. A 9% corporate tax applies only to annual corporate profits exceeding AED 375,000, and crypto-to-crypto transfers remain exempt from value-added tax (VAT).

Citing data from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, the report noted that the UAE received $56 billion in on-chain cryptocurrency value between July 2024 and June 2025, marking a 33% year-over-year increase.

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