Do I need a VARA licence for proprietary crypto trading in Dubai?

If you trade only your own funds with no clients, you are generally not required to hold a VARA licence at this time, but you must obtain and maintain a VARA No Objection Certificate (NoC) for VA proprietary trading.

What is a VARA No Objection Certificate (NoC) for proprietary trading?

A VARA No Objection Certificate (NoC) confirms that VA proprietary trading may be undertaken with regulatory oversight without a VA licence, subject to VARA’s conditions.

When does proprietary trading need to be registered with VARA?

Proprietary trading above AED 1 billion (30-day rolling trading volume) must be registered with VARA.

How do I start the VARA NoC process for proprietary trading?

The NoC process is initiated through your commercial licensor (Free Zone or DET) by completing the Initial Disclosure Questionnaire (IDQ).

How much does a DMCC proprietary trading crypto setup cost?

DMCC lists the DMCC Crypto Centre Package price at AED 31,000, with total cost varying based on visas, office needs, and compliance/banking requirements.

Can I combine proprietary crypto trading and crypto mining in DMCC?

DMCC Crypto Centre activity lists include proprietary trading and proprietary crypto mining options. The right combination depends on your operating model and onboarding requirements.

Dubai crypto proprietary trading setup

DMCC Proprietary Trading Crypto License (Dubai) — Set Up a Prop Trading Company With VARA NOC

If you want to trade Bitcoin, ETH and other virtual assets using your own capital from Dubai—without running an exchange or offering services to clients—the most common structure is a DMCC proprietary trading crypto setup under the DMCC Crypto Centre ecosystem. DMCC offers crypto-related licensing options and business setup packages for Web3 companies.

At the same time, Dubai’s virtual asset regulator (VARA) makes it clear that proprietary virtual asset trading requires a VARA No Objection Certificate (NoC), and higher-volume proprietary trading must be registered.

This page explains what a DMCC proprietary trading crypto license covers, how the VARA NoC fits into the process, costs, timeline, and what you need to be bank-ready.

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At a glance

Short summary about DMCC proprietary crypto trading

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Best for

Own-account crypto trading desks (prop trading), treasury trading, family offices, funds trading only with their own capital

DMCC package price

DMCC lists the DMCC Crypto Centre Package at AED 31,000 (package pricing shown on DMCC’s official site).

VARA requirement

VARA requirement: VA proprietary trading requires a VARA NoC, and above AED 1 billion (30-day rolling trading volume) you must register with VARA.

Pros

DMCC vs VARA: Do you need a Licence, Registration, or NoC?

1. One regulator, one commercial licensor (DMCC)

DMCC issues your commercial/free zone licence, while VARA regulates virtual asset activities in and from Dubai (except DIFC)—so the correct setup depends on what you actually do (client-facing vs proprietary-only).

2. Proprietary trading (own funds) = VARA No Objection Certificate (NoC)

If you trade only your own capital (no clients), VARA’s position is that VA proprietary trading requires a NoC (rather than a full VASP licence), with ongoing oversight.

NoC is required to carry out proprietary trading in/from Dubai.
VARA has stated an annual NoC fee of AED 1,000 for proprietary traders.

3. Large proprietary traders must register with VARA

If your own-portfolio investing in virtual assets reaches USD 250,000,000 equivalent value in any rolling 30-day period, VARA requires mandatory registration (this is separate from a VASP licence and does not itself authorise client-facing VA activities).

4. How the NoC pathway starts (IDQ through your licensor)

VARA explains the process begins via your commercial licensor (Free Zone or DET): you complete the Initial Disclosure Questionnaire (IDQ), it’s screened by the licensing body, then transferred to VARA for assessment.

Who this setup is for

A DMCC proprietary trading crypto setup is a strong fit if you are:

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A family office or investment group trading your own treasury

Ideal for family offices and private investment groups that want a Dubai base to manage and trade their own treasury in virtual assets—focused on capital preservation, strategic allocation, and execution with strong governance.

A proprietary trading desk running systematic strategies

Best for teams running systematic or discretionary prop strategies that trade using the firm’s own capital—requiring a clean “proprietary-only” setup, clear controls, and an onboarding-friendly operating model.

A fund (or fund manager group) with an own-account trading entity

Designed for funds or fund manager groups that need a dedicated entity to execute trades on behalf of the group’s own capital (not client-facing services), with a structure that supports reporting, risk oversight, and scalable compliance.

A Web3 company with a treasury strategy (market-making for own tokens, hedging, liquidity management—structured correctly)

Suited for Web3 companies managing a corporate treasury strategy—including hedging, liquidity management, and market operations using the company’s own funds—structured to remain proprietary-only and defensible for banking/exchange onboarding.

Requirements to register a crypto proprietary trading company in DMCC

Passport + Emirates ID (if applicable), proof of address, CV
Shareholding/UBO details and corporate documents if any shareholder is a company

Identity & corporate docs

One-page business model summary: proprietary only, no client services
Trading strategy overview (high-level), exchanges/custodians used, geographies
Source of funds / source of wealth evidence
Wallet governance (who controls keys, approvals, security)

Trading & compliance narrative (the “approval + banking” layer)

Process

Step-by-step: DMCC proprietary trading crypto license + VARA NoC

Step 1 — Scope & regulatory fit check (pre-application)

We confirm your model is proprietary-only (no clients), map your activity perimeter, and define the correct positioning (trading + optional mining) to avoid future regulatory or banking issues.

Step 2 — DMCC Activity Selection & Company Formation

We select the right DMCC Crypto Centre activity (and combine proprietary trading + mining where needed), prepare the application pack, and complete incorporation + licensing setup.

Step 3 — VARA NoC Pathway + Bank-Ready Compliance Pack

We initiate the VARA No Objection Certificate workflow via the commercial licensor process (IDQ route where applicable) and build a bank-ready governance & compliance dossier (SoF/SoW, controls, risk narrative, wallet governance).

Step 4 — Banking / Exchange Onboarding + Ongoing Support

We handle onboarding strategy and submissions to banks/EMIs/exchanges, then support renewals, operational updates, and—if volumes grow—guidance on any required VARA registration or upgrades.

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Why Consultrio

End-to-end support

We position you correctly as proprietary-only vs client-facing (so you don’t get stuck later).

Scope-first approach

1

Practical handling of DMCC licensing and VARA NoC via the licensor process.

DMCC + VARA pathway coordination

2

Governance + documentation built for onboarding realities.

Bank-ready execution and onboarding

3

Ready to Start Your Crypto Proprietary Trading in DMCC?

If you’re planning to set up a proprietary crypto trading company in DMCC, we can help you structure it correctly from day one—DMCC setup + VARA NoC pathway (where applicable) + bank-ready documentation—so you can operate confidently and avoid costly rework. Share your business model and trading flows, and we’ll propose the fastest compliant route with a clear cost and timeline.

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