Do you need a license to trade cryptocurrency in the UAE?

If you’re trading with your own funds (proprietary trading) as an individual, no license is required. Or you can form a legal entity and use the company’s funds for trading. In this case you must obtain a cryptocurrency license in Dubai from a free zone like RAK DAO or DMCC. For operating exchanges or managing client assets, licensing through DIFC (VARA) or ADGM (FSRA) is mandatory.