MEA Countries Unveil New Crypto Regulations in Bid for Stability

The Middle East and Africa region is witnessing a surge in regulatory activity as countries strive to balance innovation with risk management. In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced a 5:1 cap on retail leverage for crypto derivatives, effective March 31.

This move aims to mitigate potential market instability while still allowing flexibility. The VARA has also demonstrated its commitment to enforcement, penalizing 36 firms between August 2024 and August 2025.