Fintech & Virtual Assets
The UAE is a global leader in digital assets and fintech innovation. We help businesses navigate licensing, compliance, and cross-border operations.
Precision counsel for the UAE's digital asset and fintech economy
The UAE has established itself as one of the most considered, well-structured jurisdictions for virtual assets globally. We help operators across the stack — exchanges, custodians, brokers, token issuers, market-makers, payments firms, and fintech platforms — navigate the licensing, compliance, and operational complexity of this market.
Jurisdiction selection
The UAE offers multiple regulatory pathways: VARA in Dubai, FSRA in ADGM (a comprehensive virtual-asset framework), DFSA in DIFC, the SCA federally, and the Central Bank UAE for payments and money services. Selecting the right vehicle is a strategic decision that flows from the activity, customer base, and target footprint.
Licensing & authorisation
We project-manage the licensing workstream end-to-end: regulator pre-engagement, business-plan development, governance and key-person packs, financial-resources requirement modelling, technology and security documentation, and AML programme drafting.
Tokens & offerings
Token classification, primary issuance structuring, secondary market arrangements, and ongoing investor disclosure. For stablecoins, we advise on reserve composition, attestation regimes, and redemption mechanics.
Payments & e-money
Payments aggregation, e-money issuance, merchant acquiring, and cross-border remittance — including Central Bank UAE engagement and the relevant card scheme requirements.
Operations & compliance
AML/CFT programmes, sanctions screening, the Travel Rule (UAE implementation), and ongoing regulatory reporting. Where regulators open inquiries, we coordinate the response.
Natro Compliance, the AML division of Natro Consulting
Payment and virtual asset firms: is your AML framework inspection-ready?
Financial institutions and virtual asset service providers must assess their risks, screen customers, report suspicious activity and appoint a compliance officer or MLRO. See where your controls stand.
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