pc
nid 91847
Apr 10, 2026
kgurnani@vixio.com
Dubai
VARA - Guidance
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1897 charsMalta's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Publishes Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook Guidance
The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Malta has published comprehensive guidance on the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook. This guidance document provides clarity on the regulatory framework governing virtual asset issuances within Malta's jurisdiction.
The guidance is structured to address virtual asset issuances by topic and includes illustrative examples demonstrating compliance across different issuance categories. The document covers Category 1 virtual asset issuances, Category 2 virtual asset issuances, excluded virtual assets, and issuances involving licensed distributors. The guidance establishes requirements for whitepaper submissions and risk disclosure statements that issuers must prepare when launching virtual assets.
Key sections of the guidance include detailed definitions relevant to virtual asset issuances, illustrative examples showing how different types of issuances are classified and regulated, and specific requirements for documentation. The rulebook distinguishes between different categories of virtual assets, each subject to varying regulatory requirements. The guidance clarifies which virtual assets fall outside the scope of regulation and provides examples of compliant issuance structures.
Market participants planning to issue virtual assets in Malta should review this guidance to ensure compliance with VARA's requirements. The guidance serves as a practical tool for understanding how the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook applies to different issuance scenarios. Issuers should pay particular attention to whitepaper and risk disclosure requirements, as these are critical components of the regulatory approval process. The guidance is available on VARA's website and should be consulted alongside the primary regulatory framework.
REFERENCES:
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) – Guidance on the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook
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1652 charsDubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Publishes Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook Guidance
Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has published comprehensive guidance on the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook pursuant to the Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023 . The guidance is meant as interpretive only, and is not legally binding by itself.
The guidance lays out three categories of virtual assets (VAs) in Dubai:
Category 1: This includes fiat-referenced VAs (stablecoins) and asset-referenced VAs. This category requires a mandatory VARA licence and must comply with the VA Issuance Rulebook.
Category 2: This includes any VA that is not Category 1 or exempt. This category does not require a licence for the issuer. But, it must use a VARA-licenced distributor (broker-dealer), wherein the distributor is able to perform due diligence and ongoing monitoring.
Exempt VAs: This includes non-transferable tokens and closed-loop redeemable tokens. While these entities issuing these VAs do not require a licence, they must still follow rules of general conduct such as fairness and integrity, and must not allow secondary markets to form.
The guidance also emphasises disclosure requirements prior to the issuance of a non-exempt VA, in the form of a whitepaper, or a primary disclosure document. These whitepapers must be publicly available and written in clear, fair, non-misleading language. It should include what the token is, what rights it gives and whether it is transferable, redeemable, and backed.
If issuers change a VA in a way that could affect its classification, the issuer must reassess the category it falls in, and comply with the new category's requirements before the change goes live.