The initiative aims to strengthen governance, protect investor privacy and ensure security
Last updated: July 29, 2025
Dubai: Dubai is considering allowing tokenised real estate transactions to be conducted using digital currencies by the end of 2025 — a move officials say could transform property investment and attract a new generation of global buyers, according to a report by Al Khaleej Arabic daily.
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) confirmed it is exploring how tokenised property deals can be incorporated into the UAE’s existing regulatory framework. The initiative, being developed in collaboration with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the UAE Central Bank, and the Dubai Future Foundation, aims to strengthen governance, safeguard investor privacy, and ensure security in one of the city’s fastest-growing investment sectors.
Since the pilot phase of the tokenisation programme launched in March, six projects have sold out within minutes, attracting over 1,400 investors from 50 countries. Officials noted that approximately 70 percent of these investors were first-time participants. A further 20,000 potential investors remain on a waiting list for upcoming offerings.
“The response has been overwhelming,” said Dr Mahmoud Al Burai, Director of Real Estate Policies and Innovation at DLD. “We’ve seen demand from Asia, Europe, the Arab world, and local Emirati investors.”
The minimum investment in a tokenised property is just Dh2,000, with a maximum cap of 20 percent ownership in any single property to ensure broad investor participation. Registration fees have been reduced to 2 percent. Currently, transactions are conducted using digital currencies converted into stablecoins, then dirhams. However, a new “stable dirham” to be issued by the UAE Central Bank is expected by year-end, enabling direct digital currency purchases.
From September, early investors will be allowed to sell their shares, and tokenised properties will also be available to non-resident foreign investors. Five additional trading platforms are set to join the initiative, alongside ‘PRYPCO Mint’ — the first licensed platform.
Al Burai described the project as “the investment model of the century,” predicting it will redefine how property is bought and sold. “Anyone in the world can now be part of Dubai’s real estate story,” he said.
Phase one focuses on ready properties and those set for completion by September. Phase two will expand the programme to include off-plan developments, significantly boosting Dubai’s tokenised real estate market on the global stage.
Al Burai said the DLD aims to grow the value of the tokenised property sector to $16 billion by 2033, equivalent to about 7 percent of Dubai’s projected Dh1 trillion real estate market.
