Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has issued an in-principle approval to French fintech Vancelian, marking a pivotal moment in the fusion of traditional finance and cryptocurrency. Registered in the UAE as Automata FZE, Vancelian secured licenses for management and investment, lending and borrowing, advisory services, and crypto broker-dealer operations. This underscores Dubai’s rise as a global hub for regulated crypto innovation, blending European fintech expertise with Middle Eastern regulatory clarity.
EUR100 million fintech fuels Bitcoin real estate
Vancelian specializes in crypto basket investing and real estate financing, managing EUR100 million in assets while having disbursed EUR7 million in interest to clients across Europe and the UAE. Its flagship “Crypto Basket” product allows users to invest in a curated selection of cryptocurrencies in a single transaction, simplifying portfolio diversification without manual asset picking. CEO Gaël Itier emphasized the firm’s vision to “transform savings and investments into the finance of the future” by leveraging DeFi, blockchain, and soon AI for personalized client guidance.
The company’s real estate ventures exemplify FinTech-crypto convergence. In Bali, Vancelian funded seven luxury villas through Bitcoin-backed loans via its “Exclusive Offers,” delivering daily interest payments averaging a fixed rate adjusted by Privilege program status. Investors gain liquidity through options like the Vancel Visa card or reinvestment, democratizing access to high-end projects previously reserved for wealthy individuals. Itier noted, “Our innovation allows investment without a minimum entry threshold,” blurring lines between traditional finance and crypto as tokenized offerings emerge.
Dubai’s VARA: Architect of crypto-friendly regulation
VARA, established under Dubai’s forward-thinking framework, oversees virtual asset activities with a focus on investor protection and innovation. The in-principle approval signals Vancelian’s progression toward full licensing, requiring compliance with stringent AML, KYC, and capital requirements typical in UAE free zones like DMCC or DWTC. This aligns with UAE’s 2025 updates, where regulators like DFSA and ADGM demand robust business plans, risk frameworks, and tech assessments for fintech-crypto licenses.
Dubai’s ecosystem supports diverse licenses, from crypto exchanges and custody to token issuance, attracting global players amid tax incentives and advanced infrastructure. Vancelian’s multi-license suite—covering advisory, lending, and broker-dealer services—positions it to offer end-to-end solutions, from asset management to DeFi lending. Recent approvals for firms like Crypto.com highlight VARA’s efficiency, with in-principle nods paving the way for operational launches post-compliance checks.
UAE’s fintech-crypto boom
The UAE has solidified its status as a crypto powerhouse, with free economic zones enabling 100 percent foreign ownership and streamlined licensing. VARA’s role complements federal laws like Decree No. 20 of 2018 on AML/CFT, ensuring alignment with FATF standards while fostering blockchain projects. Vancelian’s entry follows a wave of European fintechs eyeing Dubai; France’s recent rollback of retail crypto restrictions further eases cross-border flows.
In real estate tokenization, Vancelian’s Dubai project—the Nest Barari upscale villa—builds on Bali’s success, using crypto for co-financing renovations and acquisitions. This model generates yields from physical assets via digital means, appealing to investors seeking hybrid returns. UAE’s progressive stance contrasts with stricter EU regimes, drawing EUR100 million+ AUM firms like Vancelian to register locally.
FinTech convergence unlocks retail yields
This approval accelerates FinTech-crypto convergence, enabling tokenized real estate and basket products that lower barriers for retail participants. Vancelian’s EUR7 million interest payouts demonstrate viable yields, with daily liquidity via Visa integration enhancing usability. For Middle East markets, it signals growing integration of digital assets into luxury sectors like Dubai property, where high ROI locations like Barari attract crypto capital.
Globally, UAE licensing draws investors fleeing regulatory uncertainty elsewhere. Requirements like banked share capital, qualified staff, and physical presence ensure sustainability. As President Trump’s pro-crypto policies influence U.S. markets post-2025 inauguration, Dubai’s stability offers a neutral hub. Vancelian’s trajectory— from Bali pilot to Dubai expansion—heralds scalable models for tokenized finance.
The $16 trillion tokenized asset market
Vancelian plans fully tokenized offerings, combining blockchain with AI for next-gen products. This could redefine real estate investing, allowing fractional ownership via crypto without geographic limits. Dubai’s ecosystem, bolstered by VARA’s provisional approvals, positions the UAE to capture a slice of the $16 trillion tokenized asset market projected by 2030.
Challenges remain, including full license finalization and market volatility, but Vancelian’s EUR100 million AUM provides a strong base. As FinTech meets crypto, firms like this drive adoption, with UAE regulators balancing innovation and compliance. Investors worldwide stand to benefit from accessible, high-yield opportunities once blurred TradFi-DeFi boundaries fully merge.
