A founder’s guide to picking the right regulatory home for your Web3 business. If you’re building a crypto or Web3 company in the UAE, you’ve probably faced this question already:Should I go with ADGM or VARA? At VAF, we hear it every week. And it’s a good problem to have — because both regulators are […]
The Compliance Challenge Today Drafting an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policy is a cornerstone of regulatory compliance in the UAE. For financial institutions, virtual asset providers, fintech startups, and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), it is both a legal requirement and an operational necessity. Yet, the process is far from simple. The result? Compliance officers […]
The regulatory landscape has never been more complex. From financial services to fintech, crypto to traditional commerce, businesses of all sizes face an ever-expanding web of compliance requirements. While many assume outsourced compliance is only for smaller companies with limited resources, the reality is very different. Today’s most successful businesses — large and small — […]
The crypto ecosystem has come a long way from its anonymous origins. Today, trust is no longer optional — it’s essential. As virtual assets mature, so does the need to integrate meaningful safeguards like Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. While crypto still offers elements of privacy and decentralization, that doesn’t mean it should operate outside […]
In a region focused on scale, succession, and cross-border growth, the Holding Company (HoldCo) remains one of the most effective ways to centralize ownership and future-proof operations. Whether you’re managing multiple entities, planning family wealth, or preparing for institutional investment, a HoldCo established in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) offers simplicity, structure, and strategic […]
In today’s fast-evolving financial and regulatory landscape, entrepreneurs, investors, and asset managers are increasingly turning to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) as a flexible, efficient tool to achieve specific objectives — and DMCC in Dubai offers one of the most business-friendly platforms in the region to do so. Understanding how an SPV fits into a broader […]
In an industry where speed and trust often feel like opposites, Reverse KYC is flipping the script. Traditionally, Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements are placed squarely on the entity onboarding new clients or partners. But what happens when you’re the one being onboarded—by multiple counterparties, across jurisdictions, each with their own requirements, formats, and timelines? […]
In today’s fast-moving regulatory environment, businesses can’t afford to be slowed down by outdated KYC processes. Delayed onboarding, inconsistent checks, and mounting compliance pressure create real obstacles to trust, growth, and security. That’s why we created KYC Defense360 — a smarter, AI-powered solution designed to simplify identity verification, reduce onboarding friction, and help businesses meet […]
A recent article from The Telegraph highlights a growing trend: one in three millennials are ignoring return-to-office mandates. According to a survey of 1,000 employees, younger workers—particularly those born between 1981 and 1996—are the most resistant to returning to in-person work full-time. This shift signals a broader evolution in workplace expectations, where flexibility is no […]