Dubai's VARA and Securitize sign MOU to advance tokenization infrastructure

Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and BlackRock-backed Securitize, the world's largest tokenization platform with $4.9 billion in assets under management, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework to advance regulated tokenized markets and digital asset infrastructure in Dubai. This partnership comes amid rapid global growth in real-world asset tokenization, which recently reached $38.5 billion in total value.

VARA-Securitize MoU

• ▪Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the tokenization platform Securitize signed a Memorandum of Understanding on September 3, 2026, to advance regulated tokenized markets and digital asset infrastructure in Dubai.
• ▪A spokesperson for Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority stated that the agreement with Securitize aims to establish a broad collaborative framework rather than a specific technological stack or product, with no specific projects announced at this stage.
• ▪The Memorandum of Understanding between Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Securitize establishes a collaborative framework to support tokenization initiatives, foster institutional participation, and explore how tokenized financial products operate under Dubai's regulatory framework.

Dubai tokenization ecosystem development

• ▪Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted its 50th virtual asset service provider license to the tokenization platform Tribe Tokenisation FZE at the beginning of July 2026.
• ▪The partnership between Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Securitize will focus on regulatory engagement, knowledge sharing, ecosystem development, talent development, market education, and data-driven research.

Securitize platform leadership

• ▪Securitize, which is backed by BlackRock, is the world's largest tokenization platform with $4.9 billion in tokenized assets under management.
• ▪Ondo Finance ranks as the second-largest tokenization platform globally with $3.5 billion in tokenized assets under management, trailing Securitize's $4.9 billion.

Global tokenized asset market growth

• ▪The London Stock Exchange reportedly partnered with cryptocurrency exchange Kraken to launch tokenized stock trading on its night-time trading venue to offer 24/5 trading.
• ▪According to data provider RWA.xyz, the total number of real-world asset holders rose 103% to 3.2 million, and the total value of tokenized assets rose 2% to $38.5 billion over a 30-day period preceding September 3, 2026.

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