Ras Al Khaimah's Innovation City free zone offers a supportive, tech-focused ecosystem with streamlined licensing and banking setup for digital asset and blockchain companies under the RAK Digital Assets Oasis regulatory framework.
| Status | crypto_friendly |
| Risk Score | 15/100 (Low Risk) |
| Region | middle east |
| Currency | AED |
| Capital Gains (Personal) | 0% (no personal income tax in the UAE) |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 9% UAE Corporate Tax on taxable income above AED 375,000; 0% on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
UAE federal tax rules apply. Individuals pay no income tax on crypto gains. Companies are subject to 9% Corporate Tax above AED 375,000, with 0% available only on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Transfers and conversions of virtual assets are VAT-exempt under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2024.
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | RAK Innovation City (RAK INC), formerly RAK Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO). Rebranded September 18, 2025. The authority itself acts as regulator within the free zone. |
| Framework | RAK Digital Assets Oasis Companies Regulations 2023 |
| Ease | easy |
| Cost (USD) | $5,000 - $25,000 |
Innovation City issues commercial free zone licences with all-inclusive packages. Regulated virtual asset services require a licence or approval from the UAE Capital Market Authority (formerly SCA) before operations.
No significant enforcement actions reported; jurisdiction actively encourages crypto business
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| FATF Member | No |
| FATF Status | compliant |
| Suspicious-Activity Reporting | Yes |
Status: regulated
DeFi activities are supported under the RAK Digital Assets Oasis framework with regulatory oversight by the Capital Market Authority.
Status: regulated
Stablecoins are regulated under the RAK Digital Assets Oasis Companies Regulations with clear compliance requirements.
Status: no_rules
No specific NFT regulation; generally permitted
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.06/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 5% |
| Infrastructure | good |
Mining is legal with competitive electricity costs and good infrastructure in Ras Al Khaimah free zones.
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 65/100 |
| Banking Access | open |
| Sanctions Program Active | Yes |
Risk Factors
Ras Al Khaimah benefits from UAE's stable political environment, open banking for crypto firms, and moderate corruption levels. Regional tensions pose limited risk.
Ras Al Khaimah's Innovation City free zone offers a supportive, tech-focused ecosystem with streamlined licensing and banking setup for digital asset and blockchain companies under the RAK Digital Assets Oasis regulatory framework.
RAK Digital Assets Oasis is classified by FATF as: compliant.
Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.
KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.
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Explore IT Services →Last reviewed: 2026-09-21 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map
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