Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has officially granted a license to Ctrl Alt, a tech platform focused on tokenization. This license allows the company to operate in Dubai as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP). Ctrl Alt can now issue and trade digital tokens that represent real-world assets, such as real estate, in a secure and legal way.
This move supports Dubai’s vision of becoming a global hub for virtual assets and blockchain innovation.
What the VARA License Means for Ctrl Alt
The VARA license allows Ctrl Alt to provide two key services:
- Issuing tokenized versions of real-world assets
- Acting as a broker to help people buy and sell those tokenized assets
With this approval, Ctrl Alt can legally operate in Dubai’s fast-growing digital asset space. This includes working with investors, asset owners, and businesses looking to turn physical assets into tradeable digital tokens.
The license is part of VARA’s wider plan to build a trusted and regulated digital asset ecosystem in the city.
Ctrl Alt’s Big Bet on Dubai
Ctrl Alt was originally based in Europe but moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2024. The company said the move was driven by Dubai’s strong regulatory framework and welcoming attitude towards blockchain innovation.
According to its leadership, Dubai offers a balance of innovation, investor interest, and clear rules—making it the perfect location for scaling tokenization services.
Ctrl Alt’s leadership team, including Founder and CEO Matt Ong, believes this license will allow them to bring safe and scalable tokenization services to a broader market.
Partnership With Dubai Land Department
Before receiving the VARA license, Ctrl Alt had already worked with the Dubai Land Department on a tokenized real estate project. The goal was to make it easier for investors to own pieces of property in Dubai through digital tokens.
With tokenization, large properties can be divided into smaller, affordable parts. This makes it possible for more people to invest in real estate—without needing to buy an entire building or apartment.
The company sees this as the future of real estate investment in Dubai and around the world.
Dubai’s Role in Shaping the Future of Tokenization
Dubai has been making rapid progress in the digital asset space. The creation of VARA in 2022 was a major step forward. Since then, the regulator has introduced clear rules that protect investors while encouraging innovation.
The latest update to its rulebook, sometimes called “VARA 2.0,” includes formal guidelines on how real-world assets like property or commodities can be tokenized and traded on blockchain platforms.
By giving companies like Ctrl Alt a legal framework to work within, Dubai is making itself more attractive to international blockchain businesses and tech investors.
Unlocking Opportunities in Real Estate and Beyond
Ctrl Alt plans to use its new license to launch products that allow people to invest in tokenized real estate. But that’s just the beginning. The company also aims to tokenize other assets such as:
- Luxury items
- Intellectual property
- Commercial goods
- Art and collectibles
The goal is to build a future where almost any valuable asset can be turned into a digital token and traded online. This would make investing faster, more affordable, and more accessible to people across the world.
Benefits of Tokenization for the UAE
The growing tokenization industry could bring several advantages to the UAE:
- More Investment: Lower entry costs for investors can bring more money into local markets
- Better Liquidity: Tokenized assets can be bought or sold at any time, unlike traditional property investments
- Transparency: Blockchain technology keeps all transactions secure and visible
- Global Reach: Foreign investors can easily buy digital tokens representing UAE assets
Dubai’s leadership in setting up VARA and approving licenses like Ctrl Alt’s shows that the city is serious about becoming a global capital for digital finance.
What’s Next for Ctrl Alt?
Now that Ctrl Alt has the VARA license, it plans to grow rapidly in the UAE and beyond. The company says it will launch new digital products aimed at making it easier for everyone—from individual investors to big institutions—to take part in tokenized finance.
The company also plans to keep working with the Dubai Land Department and other government entities to bring more public services and assets into the blockchain space.
In the future, you might be able to buy part of a hotel, a mall, or even a museum—just by purchasing a digital token.
Conclusion
Ctrl Alt’s license from Dubai’s VARA is more than just a business win. It represents a bigger shift in how people view ownership, investment, and technology. With strong regulation, tech innovation, and visionary planning, Dubai is showing the world what a digital asset future can look like.
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