UAE’s tax advantages and multi-tier regulatory frameworks position Dubai as preferred global hub for crypto firms seeking new licences, says Antier chief

The UAE News Report: Dubai-based blockchain consultancy Antier has reported a surge in enquiries from major digital-asset exchanges looking to relocate to Dubai and Hong Kong after Singapore unveiled stringent new rules governing overseas crypto activity.

Last month the Monetary Authority of Singapore required all crypto-service providers incorporated in the city-state but serving foreign clients to secure a Digital-Token Service Provider licence by 30 June 2025 or cease such business. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to SGD 250,000 (AED 734,500) and three years’ imprisonment.

“This is effectively a moratorium on fresh licences, hence the migration — a crypto exodus,” Vikram R Singh, Founder & Chief Executive, Antier

Mr Singh, whose firm recently expanded within IFZA Dubai, contrasted Singapore’s tightening stance with the UAE’s three-year drive to build a dedicated rule-book for digital assets. Consultancy Sumsub estimates the UAE attracted US $30 billion in crypto investment during 2024, a regional record.

Key attractions include:

• Zero income and capital-gains tax for individual investors.
• Free-zone structures that can trim the UAE’s new 9 per cent federal corporate tax to near-zero when business is booked offshore.
• Flexible supervision: federal regulators oversee mainland activity, while DIFC, ADGM and other free zones run bespoke crypto frameworks, letting founders “pick the regulator that fits the business model”.

Dubai’s credentials were underlined in April when TOKEN2049 drew around 15,000 delegates from 4,000 companies, the world’s largest crypto gathering. Local capital is also backing growth: Emirates NBD’s Liv digital bank and Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund are funding a 30-storey “Crypto Tower” in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority has lately issued guidance on tokenised securities and real-world assets. Antier is already collaborating with UAE partners to build tokenised-asset marketplaces aligned with the emirate’s digital-asset strategy.

“Dubai’s proactive stance perfectly matches our real-world-asset tokenisation and trading infrastructure. As tokenisation reshapes global finance, we will bridge traditional markets and Web3,” Vikram R Singh added.

With Singapore’s stricter rules now in force, analysts expect licence-seeking crypto firms to accelerate moves to Dubai, reinforcing the emirate’s ambition to become the leading global hub for digital assets.