Dubai bars issuance of privacy coins, details other crypto regulations

1 year ago

Dubai’s Virtual Assets and Regulatory Authority (VARA) has barred the issuance of privacy-focused crypto assets similar Zcash (ZEC) and Monero (XMR) successful the region, according to caller line measures published connected Feb. 7.

VARA said:

“Anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies prevent the tracing of transactions oregon grounds of ownership done distributed nationalist ledgers and for which the virtual plus work supplier [VASP] has nary mitigating technologies oregon mechanisms to let traceability oregon recognition of ownership.”

Crypto assemblage subordinate Matt Hussey said Dubai’s privateness coin prohibition “kind of defeats” its affable regulatory situation for crypto.

Before Dubai’s ban, authorities successful different countries similar Japan had enacted a akin determination successful 2019. At the time, privateness coins were fashionable among ransomware groups.

Besides that, Huobi delisted 7 privateness coins successful 2022 to stay compliant with regulators.

Dubai introduces crypto regulations for VASPs

Meanwhile, Dubai’s VARA besides introduced respective regulations to usher crypto firms’ operations successful the country.

According to the caller regulation, immoderate crypto institution looking to run successful the portion indispensable unafraid licensing earlier it tin statesman operation. The authorities said immoderate entity investing $250 cardinal oregon much successful cryptocurrency indispensable besides registry with VARA.

Meanwhile, VARA said individuals who breach its marketplace behaviour rules could beryllium fined up to 20 cardinal Dirhams ($5.4 million), portion institutions look up to 50 cardinal dirhams ($13.6 million) successful fines.

VARA’s supervision and authorization fees ranged from 40,000 dirhams($11,000) to arsenic precocious as  200,000 dirhams ($55,000).

The caller rules volition lone use to VASPs operating successful Dubai. Crypto firms successful Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) escaped portion volition not beryllium affected arsenic they enactment nether a antithetic regulator.

However, the regulator noted that each marketplace participants, including those not licensed by VARA, indispensable comply with marketing, promotions, and advertizing regulations.

VARA said it intends to beforehand the Emirate arsenic a “regional and planetary hub” for virtual assets. The regulator added that it wants to summation consciousness and facilitate innovations successful the industry.

The station Dubai bars issuance of privateness coins, details different crypto regulations appeared archetypal connected CryptoSlate.

View source