By David Drake
An announcement released on 11th February 2018 shows how the market regulator in Abu Dhabi, UAE is preparing regulations to guide cryptocurrencies, virtual exchanges, and initial coin offerings (ICOs) in the country.
Though it’s not clear when the regulations will be released, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is expected to work with relevant players in the digital currency space and other qualified institutions to develop the regulations. Some players in the cryptocurrency space feel that most executives in the community will embrace the regulations.
Jose Merino, Chairman and Co-Founder of SID Ltd says: “UAE could be, in my view, the first or among the first countries to develop regulation for a ‘risk-appropriate framework for crypto-exchanges’. I’m sure most executives in the crypto community would welcome such regulations because it would provide businesses with the necessary legal backing to grow crypto or token trading to the next level. I can’t wait for it to be the first country to truly embrace crypto-exchanges in a business friendly manner while protecting consumers. The result will be many other countries will follow soon after.”
The debate on cryptocurrency regulation has gained momentum over the last month, leading to a crypto trading ban in China, as well as regulation of exchanges in South Korea. In the UAE, the idea of regulating cryptocurrency activities started in October of last year, when the regulator raised a red flag regarding the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and ICOs.
According to Eugene Liebermann, CEO of ParkApp, the UAE might be the first country in the region to regulate, because it has huge amounts of money and no other country in the region can afford to invest in a high-risk, volatile industry like cryptocurrency.
“In my opinion, UAE will be the first country in the Middle East to regulate and deal with cryptocurrency for one obvious reason: they have excess funds available for investments. It is a well-known fact that they don’t do anything themselves but hire consultancy firms like McKenzie with the money they get from oil. Apparently, consultancy firms give preference to alternative types of investments despite their high volatility and risk, which no other Middle East country can afford.” he says.
Though UAE could be pioneering cryptocurrency regulation in the Middle East, it’s expected that countries such as Turkey and Israel could become other test markets sooner or later.
Roman Guelfi-Gibbs, CEO at Pinnacle Brilliance, says: “That the UAE could be first to regulate crypto in the region is certainly a logical assumption to make. With businesses growing so quickly in the Middle East, it makes sense that the UAE would be a good first test case. Other possibilities for the region would be Israel or Turkey.”
Earlier this month, the Securities and Commodities Authority in the country informed investors that they will be expected to assume the risk of investing in ICOs because this form of fundraising isn’t regulated in the country as yet.
Disclaimer: David Drake is on the advisory board for most of the firms mentioned or quoted in this article.
