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On October 2, the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced key amendments to its VAT framework, following Cabinet Decision No. (100) of 2024.
These changes, which come into effect on November 15, provide clarity on the tax treatment of virtual assets, tokens, and blockchain-based transactions.
“The US needs to follow if they want to be competitive." crypto analyst Borovik wrote in an October 6 social media post on X.
For the first time, the amendments formally address the VAT treatment of virtual assets, such as cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, by exempting certain transactions from the existing 5% levy. This includes the management of investment funds and the transfer and conversion of virtual assets, with the exemption retroactively effective from January 1, 2018.
These amendments signal the UAE’s effort to remain a global leader in fostering innovation within the digital asset industry while safeguarding the interests of both businesses and consumers.
A key highlight of the FTA’s amendment is the formal definition of "Virtual Assets." According to the new law, virtual assets are now recognized as digital representations of value that can be traded, transferred, or used for investment purposes.
A Financial Times report indicates that valuation in the private assets market continues to pose significant challenges due to the inherent complexities of these investments. Factors such as the opaque nature of some assets, less frequent pricing, and reliance on subjective estimates can complicate accurate valuation.
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA) is actively advocating for enhanced valuation methodologies in the alternative investments sector.
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is the government entity responsible for administering, collecting, and enforcing federal taxes in the United Arab Emirates.
John Patrick Mullin, CEO of MANTRA, said that Larry Fink’s public endorsement of tokenization has accelerated its adoption at both "startup" and "institutional" levels, though less so in "retail" blockchain use.
Bruce Pon, co-founder and CEO of Ocean Protocol, said that the combination of "AI and blockchain" unlocks significant "potential" for new entrepreneurial opportunities and substantial value creation.
Irina Heaver, a crypto lawyer at NeosLegal, emphasized the importance of user education in the cryptocurrency sector.
Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, said that cryptocurrency is in the "early stage of adoption" globally, although major institutions are beginning to embrace blockchain and crypto agendas.
De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has announced a €2,250,000 fine for Bybit Fintech Limited.
The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) has added four entities to its public warning list, including Foris DAX MT Limited, operating as Crypto.com.
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