Virtually Everything | Series 2, Episode 5 | Navigating VARA Compliance

In this episode of Virtually Everything, we are introduced to Tom Bicknell, the newest financial services regulatory partner at Clyde & Co. Tom, a specialist in fintech, virtual assets, and payment services, shares his journey into the virtual asset sector and highlights how his role has evolved to support clients in the digital finance space. He describes some of the exciting projects he has worked on, including collaborations with government authorities to establish frameworks for digital securities and the first listing of a virtual asset backed fund on Dubai’s Nasdaq Securities Exchange.

The conversation then shifts to discuss the UAE’s rapidly developing virtual asset regulations, particularly focusing on the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and its new marketing regulations. Tom explains how these rules define marketing and emphasise compliance for both local and cross-border virtual asset promotions targeting the UAE market. With the guidance provided by VARA, companies now have practical insights into acceptable marketing practices, including specific examples for events, journalistic content, and influencer marketing.

Lucy and Tom also dive into the significance of these regulations for the UAE as a growing centre for virtual asset regulation, emphasising how they create a robust and secure market by setting clear boundaries and offering enforcement to maintain compliance. The episode wraps up with Tom defining the buzz term “targeting the UAE,” an essential concept for any virtual asset business seeking to navigate and succeed in this region’s dynamic regulatory landscape.

This podcast forms part of the Virtually Everything podcast series. To find out more about the topics discussed in the series, please visit our dedicated Digital Assets and Blockchain page.