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VC fund marketing and distribution in UAE
Venture capital managers flock to the United Arab Emirates because the country blends deep pools of entrepreneurial capital with an ever-growing pipeline of technology founders. Before units in an overseas or local VC vehicle can be shown to a family office on Sheikh Zayed Road or a pension board in Abu Dhabi, however, managers must […]
What DIFC offers Hong Kong companies
Dubai International Financial Centre has spent the past two decades turning a patch of desert on Sheikh Zayed Road into one of the world’s ten most influential on shore finance hubs. A common-law court, the Dubai Financial Services Authority regulator and a guaranteed zero tax window until 2054 have already pulled more than two thousand […]
VARA rulebook updates 2025
In April–May 2025, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) rolled out sweeping updates to its regulatory rulebook for virtual asset businesses. On 19 May 2025, VARA published Version 2.0 of its activity-based Rulebooks, with all provisions taking effect by 19 June 2025. These revisions strengthen oversight across every licensed crypto activity. From advisory and brokering […]
Economic requirements in UAE
The Emirates spent two decades cultivating their reputation as a tax-efficient launch pad between Asia, Europe and Africa. That narrative is still valid, yet the landscape around it has shifted. Since 2019 companies incorporated onshore or in any free zone, DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, RAK or the northern emirates, must show that the income they book […]
Managing EU funds with DIFC managers
The past ten years have turned Dubai International Financial Centre from a regional hub into a springboard for truly global capital, yet many Gulf managers still look to Europe when they need the reach that only a UCITS or an AIFMD passport can deliver. Thanks to a network of regulatory memoranda of understanding, and to […]
Economics of a VC fund
At first sight a venture capital partnership looks simple. Money flows in at the beginning, firms acquire equity stakes, exits occur and cash returns to contributors a few years later. In reality the web of commitments, claw‑backs, catch‑ups, allocations, preferred hurdles and fee offsets means the economics of a VC fund are anything but linear. […]
DeFi and DApps regulation in the DIFC
Decentralised finance, often called DeFi, and decentralised applications (DApps) represent one of the most dramatic shifts in how financial services can operate, and now they are a part of the DIFC too. Rather than relying on central intermediaries, these blockchain-based solutions use distributed ledger technology to enable peer-to-peer transactions. Even though they have been successful […]
UAE real estate tokenisation explained
Real estate has long been an investment mainstay in the Middle East, offering enduring value and stable returns. Yet it comes with a familiar drawback: properties typically require large capital commitments, extensive paperwork, and a protracted process whenever new buyers or sellers enter the market. Although instruments such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and […]
What is the DIFC crowdfunding licence?
A DIFC Investment Crowdfunding Business License is a regulatory license issued by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) for platforms that facilitate equity or debt-based crowdfunding. This license allows businesses to operate legally within the DIFC financial ecosystem, connecting investors with startups and SMEs seeking funding. Key features of a DIFC investment crowdfunding business license: […]
ADGM CAT 4 License: Categories & Benefits
Introduction to ADGM CAT 4 license The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) stands as a pivotal financial hub located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Established in 2013, ADGM has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to fostering a robust financial ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth. Operating within a […]
