This report provides an overview of key regulatory and policy developments shaping the Fintech, Digital Assets and Web3 landscape across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region between Q4 2024 and April 2025. The reporting period has been marked by clear momentum, with several jurisdictions (including notably the UAE) accelerating the development of forward-looking frameworks that aim not only to foster innovation and attract investment but also to reinforce market stability, investor confidence and consumer protection. Across the region, regulators are progressing at different speeds. Some have taken bold steps to formalize regimes for stablecoins, tokenized assets, digital currencies, and open banking, while others continue to adopt a more measured posture—particularly in relation to cryptocurrencies.
