UAE Mandates Central Bank Licensing for DeFi Operations with Penalties up to $272 Million
The United Arab Emirates has enacted Federal Decree No. 6 of 2025, requiring central bank licensing for decentralized finance and Web3 operations starting September 16, 2025. Non-compliant entities face penalties up to $272 million. The regulation covers payment services, lending protocols, trading platforms, and custody activities, while self-custodial wallets remain exempt.