Crypto is no longer a ‘crude’ word for companies in the UAE | Opinion

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Once, the word “crypto” might have made UAE executives nervous. Today, it sparks little, if any, fear. 

Summary

• Crypto went from taboo to toolkit: In the UAE, digital assets are no longer speculative or suspect — they’re discussed in boardrooms alongside oil, commodities, and macro strategy.
• Regulatory clarity beats ideological debate: Clear rules, fast execution, and top-down commitment have turned the UAE into a global magnet for founders, capital, and high-net-worth migrants.
• The real edge is confidence: While other markets oscillate with politics and enforcement cycles, the UAE offers long-term certainty — letting companies build, experiment, and scale without fear of sudden reversals.

Many wonder why the UAE would bother with crypto when it already sits on vast oil reserves…you know, the crude oil that initially funded the infrastructure, and put the UAE on the global map. The answer is simple: the UAE wants to win. A mindset other jurisdictions should take note of.

The UAE knows it is part of a global race. Boardrooms and industries across the nation are fiercely competitive. Companies want to be the best, and they are determined not to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

UAE’s stance has changed dramatically

Just a few years ago, crypto was a taboo topic in the UAE, and now the country is fully committed to cementing its position as the world’s leading crypto hub. The perception has undergone a complete turnaround.

UAE government officials are taking this message worldwide, speaking at crypto conferences and staking their claim. Companies and entrepreneurs are paying attention.  The UAE has become the world’s top destination for relocating high-net-worth individuals, with an estimated 9,800 millionaires forecasted to move there in 2025 alone. 

So what sets the UAE apart from other jurisdictions? Speed and clarity. While entrepreneurs elsewhere plead for regulatory guidance, the UAE has made clear rules a top priority, recognizing that innovation thrives when companies can act quickly and confidently.

This approach is particularly striking compared with past experiences in other markets. In previous U.S. administrations, for example, companies often hesitated to innovate, fearing regulatory or legal repercussions.

Trump’s administration won’t last forever

Attend a crypto industry event, and you’ll hear how far behind the U.S. has fallen in regulatory innovation. Even though the Trump administration is favorable for the industry, and the GENIUS Act was a big win, and the CLARITY Act could do the same, an element of uncertainty looms. Will future leadership revert to old habits, potentially creating a less supportive environment for crypto?

The UAE doesn’t face that risk. Its government has proactively set clear regulations, backed innovation at the highest levels, and signaled long-term commitment, giving companies the confidence to operate and grow without fear of sudden policy reversals. The UAE has sent a clear message that companies can explore, experiment, and grow without unnecessary barriers, making it a magnet for forward-thinking business and digital finance ventures.

Crypto has a reputation elsewhere as volatile, chaotic, or even dubious. In the UAE, it is pragmatic. It is strategic. And it is increasingly viewed as part of a forward-looking financial toolkit rather than a speculative gamble. The cultural shift is equally striking. Energy companies discuss Bitcoin (BTC) allocations alongside oil futures. Entrepreneurs pitch blockchain-based platforms for commodity trading and find investors willing to listen.

Young entrepreneurs can take more risks in the UAE

Young startups that might once have struggled to gain traction are now welcomed into a sector with a progressive approach to innovation in digital asset regulation, setting a new benchmark for the sector. 

It is not just financial, it is cultural. A signal that risk, when measured, is encouraged.

The convergence of oil and crypto mirrors the UAE’s broader story. The country transformed deserts into cities, sand into skyscrapers, and oil into prosperity. Now, digital assets are part of that narrative, tools to secure the future while respecting the past. 

Of course, the journey is not without risks. Crypto markets remain volatile, regulations continue to evolve, and not every experiment will succeed. Yet in the UAE, companies have the space to navigate uncertainty with confidence. 

There is room to innovate, adapt, and learn, which is an unusual combination of flexibility and stability that attracts both local innovators and international investors.

At its core, this shows something deeper about the UAE. The country has always pursued boundless possibilities. From turning deserts into metropolises to transforming oil wealth into global influence, it has consistently reimagined what is possible. 

Other jurisdictions that delay regulatory clarity risk falling behind. The UAE demonstrates that speed, vision, and decisiveness win. Its strategic embrace of crypto shows that the country is prepared to shape the future of global finance.

Basil Al Askari

Basil Al Askari is the founder and CEO of MidChains, a regulated virtual asset trading platform based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE, focused on both retail and institutional markets.