Dubai, UAE – June 4, 2025 — Ctrl Alt, a leading tokenization infrastructure platform, has officially secured a landmark license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), becoming the first entity authorized to issue ARVA (Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets) tokens in the UAE.
The approval includes both a virtual asset broker-dealer license and an issuer license, positioning Ctrl Alt at the forefront of regulated tokenization in the region. As of May 1, 2025, the platform has already tokenized more than $295 million in assets, including real estate, private credit, litigation finance, funds, and other alternative asset classes.
The ARVA issuer license represents a new regulatory milestone in Dubai’s evolving virtual asset landscape. Developed by VARA, the ARVA category is designed for tokens backed by tangible real-world assets such as property, commodities, and income streams. The legal framework emphasizes investor protection, legal clarity, and operational transparency.
ARVA tokens are defined under Dubai law as instruments representing direct or indirect ownership in real-world assets. These may include income entitlements and are expected to maintain value stability through asset backing. Regulatory features include mandatory independent audits, custodial reserves, legal segregation, and direct, fee-free redemption options. Use of the term “stablecoin” is now restricted to ARVA-compliant tokens backed by real assets.
“This license solidifies our commitment to building regulatory-aligned infrastructure for the future of finance,” said Matt Ong, Founder and CEO of Ctrl Alt. “We are proud to be operating under the UAE’s robust regulatory framework as we empower next-generation financial products.”
Robert Farquhar, Head of MENA at Ctrl Alt, added: “Securing our VARA license is a major step forward, not only for Ctrl Alt but for the regional digital asset landscape. Dubai’s forward-thinking regulation is setting the standard globally, and we’re excited to contribute by offering compliant tokenization solutions.”
The announcement follows the successful launch of Prypco Mint, the region’s first licensed real estate tokenization platform, developed in partnership with the Dubai Land Department and powered by Ctrl Alt’s blockchain infrastructure. The platform issued the first official property token ownership certificate and fully funded a property through tokenized investment, drawing over 224 investors from 40 nationalities, each contributing an average of $2,700.
Ctrl Alt’s regulatory milestone underscores the growing momentum behind asset tokenization in the UAE and highlights Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for compliant, innovation-driven digital finance.
