Securitize has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to advance regulated tokenization across the emirate. The agreement, announced on September 3, 2026, aims to strengthen digital asset infrastructure and support Dubai's ambition to lead global tokenized financial markets.

Under the MoU, both parties will share expertise, encourage institutional participation, and promote research and talent development within Dubai's regulatory framework. The partnership signals growing regulatory engagement with tokenization worldwide, as jurisdictions compete to attract digital asset businesses with clear rulebooks. VARA itself was established in 2022 under Dubai's virtual asset law as the world's first standalone virtual assets regulator, and the emirate has since issued licenses to a range of exchanges, custodians, and service providers.

Securitize and VARA Outline Collaboration Framework

The MoU establishes a structure for ongoing cooperation between Securitize and VARA, centered on knowledge sharing and ecosystem development within Dubai's virtual asset sector. Licensed market participants operating under VARA's oversight will gain access to Securitize's global tokenization experience. Securitize is one of the most established tokenization platforms in traditional finance, known for issuing tokenized funds including BlackRock's USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) on public blockchains, which has made its regulatory partnerships a benchmark for how tokenized securities are brought to institutional markets.

Securitize confirmed the announcement in a post on its official X account, describing the agreement as a step toward advancing tokenization and digital asset infrastructure throughout Dubai and supporting the emirate's goal of becoming a leading jurisdiction for regulated tokenized markets.

We've signed an MoU with @varadubai to advance tokenization and digital asset infrastructure across Dubai. The agreement supports Dubai's ambition to become the leading global jurisdiction for regulated tokenized financial markets and digital financial infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/n0oHk6vbdz — Securitize (@Securitize) September 3, 2026

A follow-up post outlined additional areas of focus, including exploring tokenization initiatives, supporting talent attraction, and encouraging market education across Dubai's ecosystem. Data-driven research and the development of new tokenized financial products were also listed as shared priorities. As a memorandum of understanding, the agreement sets out intent to cooperate rather than binding obligations, so concrete initiatives will be watched for as the partnership develops.

According to the companies, projects may be initiated or facilitated directly by VARA. The collaboration is designed to operate within Dubai's existing regulatory framework rather than outside it — a structure intended to maintain market integrity while allowing innovation to continue. The announcement was also distributed via an official press release.

Executives Comment on Dubai's Regulatory Vision

Carlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO of Securitize, addressed the partnership in a public statement, saying Dubai "has established itself as one of the world's most forward-looking jurisdictions" for digital asset innovation. He added that collaboration between regulators and industry is becoming increasingly important as tokenization advances.

Domingo also spoke about Securitize's role in the broader shift toward onchain capital markets, saying the company is "proud to support VARA's vision" of a trusted, well-regulated digital asset ecosystem. His comments tied the partnership directly to Securitize's ongoing institutional tokenization efforts.

Matthew White, CEO of VARA, also commented on the agreement's purpose. He said Dubai's ambition is that financial markets be shaped "not only by new technologies" but by supportive regulatory frameworks, an approach he noted gives institutions confidence to adopt emerging digital asset tools.

White further described the Securitize partnership as reinforcing Dubai's broader market position, saying the collaboration supports the development of regulated tokenized markets within the emirate and strengthens Dubai's standing as a global capital markets center.