A structured editorial view of developments that matter to boards, compliance leaders, MLROs, technology functions and regulatory reporting teams. Each briefing distinguishes published regulatory requirements from strategic interpretation.
FATF’s seventh targeted update reviews progress and remaining gaps in implementation of the FATF standards for virtual assets and VASPs. For firms, the practical implication is a continued need to understand how national frameworks implement licensing, supervision and risk-based AML/CFT expectations.
FSRA finalised enhancements to its AML Framework, covering anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, counter-proliferation financing and sanctions compliance. The changes reflect developments in federal laws and evolving FATF-aligned practice.
FSRA finalised a framework for staking of Virtual Assets, including limits around permitted rewards, client disclosures and reporting. For firms, product innovation can move quickly into client-asset, disclosure and governance territory.
The updated Crypto Token framework places direct responsibility on firms to determine, on a reasoned and documented basis, whether each Crypto Token meets the DFSA’s suitability criteria, with ongoing monitoring and supervisory availability of the assessment.
The UAE Virtual Assets Travel Rule is in force and applies to VASPs within the stated territorial scope. Its requirements extend into data collection, verification, secure transmission and risk-based handling of transfers to or from unhosted wallets.
VARA’s regulatory update log records a May 2026 update to its federal AML/CFT laws reference set. The current published list points to the 2025 federal AML/CFT/PF law and implementation regulation, alongside the Terrorism Lists Regulation.