UAE NFT Regulations: Licensing, Minting, Marketplaces and Copyright

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are categorised as virtual assets. To trade those tokens in Dubai, a license is authorised by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), an NOC is issued, or another type of registration is required, depending on the activity they conduct. The UAE copyright laws are followed to register the NFT, but it is not transferred automatically. At the federal level, the Capital Market Authority’s 2026 framework explains how NFTs are treated within the broader category of the virtual asset regulatory framework. In Dubai, the commercial minting of NFTs outside the DIFC may fall under Category 2 Virtual Asset issuance approval, depending on the nature of the NFT and activity involved.

NFTs in the UAE are governed under different authorities across the region.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) governs NFTs in the UAE by ensuring standards for legal crypto management. Formerly known as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), it was renamed in January 2026 under Federal Decree-Law Nos. 32 and 33 of 2025. Nevertheless, Cabinet Resolution No. 111 of 2022 remains the federal foundation for governing virtual assets.

NFT-related activities may be subject to VARA licensing, registration, NOC or other regulatory requirements depending on the activity and the NFT’s classification. A detailed licensing document is filled out by businesses offering services of NFTs. It depends on the classification of NFTs and the activity to be conducted. Rules and regulations for virtual assets are governed under Law No. 4 of 2022. However, commercial NFTs can be traded under Category 2 Virtual Asset Issuance. Commercial NFT issuance may fall within VARA’s Virtual Asset Issuance framework, depending on the NFT’s characteristics and the activity involved. Operating an NFT trading platform may involve separate regulatory requirements. It is also important to understand that the transfer of a personal NFT is different from a commercial NFT. At the time of licensing, this small difference can make big decisions.

Abu Dhabi Global Market is operated independently in the free zone.  The financial services of ADGM are governed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The FSRA assesses NFT-related activities according to their structure and regulatory characteristics. Certain NFT activities may involve authorised trading facilities and other regulatory requirements. In some cases, NFT activities are conducted under ADGM with specific structures involving an FSRA-governed Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF). The facility allows the custody of digital assets. Therefore, whenever a business is trading an NFT, it should assess the position of the NFT and the platform of activity to operate within ADGM.

Under DIFC, digital assets are governed by property laws and the Digital Assets Law. The NFT rules are regulated as per the characteristics of the token, which is managed according to the DFSA rulebooks.

People assume that buying an NFT means they have also bought the copyright. Owning an NFT in Dubai does not mean you have the copyright to the NFT. The copyrights have to be transferred separately. The token itself does not have an intellectual property right unless the creator transfers the rights in writing. The creator can transfer specific rights, under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. The UAE copyright law protects the intellectual rights of the original creator in an NFT while it is bought by another individual.

Nowadays, digital fraud is increasing in the UAE. Cybercrime has reached the UAE NFT markets. Scammers have created fake marketplaces where original artwork is stolen, and several victims of phishing attacks are left devastated. However, under Article 40 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, electronic fraud, including scams with digital assets and impersonation, is penalised in the UAE.