Getting a Crypto License in Ajman: The Smart, Straightforward Way

Most projects start inside the Ajman Free Zone — a fast, flexible setup that lets you register your company in just a few days. It’s perfect for building your structure, but it’s only the first step. To actually trade, hold, or provide crypto services, you’ll need an SCA license for virtual assets (VASP). The approval covers activities like exchanges, wallets, infrastructure platforms, and even crypto advisory.

The application isn’t just paperwork — it’s a full background check on your business. Regulators will review your AML policy, cybersecurity design, funding sources, and the core team behind the project. Once licensed, you’re part of a monitored ecosystem that’s aligned with international standards.

The winning setup? Combine your Ajman Free Zone company with an SCA federal license — and if your token works as a payment tool, loop in the Central Bank of the UAE. Together, these pieces form a clean, compliant structure that lets you scale your crypto venture without legal headaches.

Crypto Regulation in Ajman Made Simple: Who You’ll Answer To (and Why It Matters)

When people decide to launch a crypto project in Ajman, they often assume there’s a single national authority that handles everything. That’s the first myth I break. The UAE’s crypto landscape is federal and layered, and your path depends entirely on what kind of tokens and services you’re dealing with.

If your business is registered in the Ajman Free Zone and works with digital assets — whether you’re running an exchange, providing wallet or custody services, or advising on tokenized projects — your main regulator is the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). It’s the UAE’s umbrella authority for digital assets across all Emirates except Dubai, ADGM, and DIFC. The SCA sets the standards for VASPs and VAPOs, defining everything from AML/KYC obligations to tech infrastructure and reporting systems.

But if your platform involves payment tokens — for example, stablecoins or any product that stores or transfers value — the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) joins the picture. They regulate anything resembling a payment system or digital money ecosystem. Their requirements go deeper: capital reserves, IT security, consumer safeguards, and operational substance are all checked line by line.

My process always begins with understanding the service: what the platform does, how it handles assets, and whether it includes a payment component. Once we’ve mapped that out, we can identify the right regulators, licensing routes, and documentation.

In most Ajman-based setups, the SCA is the key authority — but when payments are involved, we create a parallel application track with the CBUAE right from the start. That’s what keeps the process smooth, avoids surprises, and gives your crypto business a solid, lawful foundation from day one.

Ajman’s licensing system isn’t chaotic — it just rewards those who do their homework. And that’s exactly what separates a compliant crypto business from one that never makes it past review.

Starting Smart: Company Registration as Step One Toward a Crypto License in Ajman

Every crypto project in Ajman starts with the same thing: a company that is properly registered. For that, the Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), which is one of the UAE's best business hubs, is the place to go. AFZ has choices for both small businesses and large investors, and the setup process is quick. You don't even need an office on the mainland. You and your team can get residency cards and start a business with just one founder. You can also set up a limited liability company (FZE or FZCO).

However, AFZ’s standard licenses — like trade, services, e-commerce, media, or tech — don’t authorize crypto activity. Having “IT” or “consulting” on your license doesn’t let you run wallets, exchanges, or token platforms. To operate legally with digital assets, you’ll need a license from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). Until that’s granted, the Free Zone treats your company as a shell entity, valid only for setting up the SCA application.

Ajman Free Zone helps you establish your corporate identity, but it doesn’t replace the need for official crypto approval. Without the SCA’s blessing, even the smallest crypto-related operation will be considered non-compliant. In fact, AFZ won’t process crypto-linked business plans without seeing SCA’s preliminary consent.

This approach avoids rejections, keeps everything synchronized, and shows regulators that your business isn’t just another idea — it’s a serious, legally grounded crypto project built the right way from the start.

How Company Setup Lays the Groundwork for Your Ajman Crypto License

Establishing a business in the Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) is a prerequisite to get a cryptocurrency license. A free zone in the United Arab Emirates is a great place to establish a company since it is easy, cheap, and allows you to avoid the island office. You may receive work permits for your team and all you need is one starter to form a FZE or FZCO.

Now here’s the key: the AFZ license gives you a business structure, not permission to handle digital assets. The zone offers typical categories — trade, services, e-commerce, media, tech — but none of these legally cover crypto-related activity. Even if your license says “IT consulting,” it doesn’t authorize token trading, custody, wallet operations, or listings. From the regulator’s perspective, the company is simply a legal vehicle — the starting point for your SCA application, not the final step.

Think of AFZ as the shell and the SCA license as the heart of the project. Without SCA approval, any crypto activity — even under a valid AFZ license — is technically unauthorized. In fact, the Free Zone will flag or even reject applications that reference crypto in their business plan unless SCA approval is attached.

That’s why we always handle both tracks together: while the company is being registered, we prepare the full SCA file. During that stage, we open a corporate account, finalize a lease or flexi-desk agreement, and arrange residency visas for core staff. Once the entity is structured and documented, we move directly to SCA submission.

This process avoids rejections, unnecessary back-and-forth, and compliance gaps — ensuring that from day one, the form and function of your crypto business actually align.

How Much Capital You Really Need for a Crypto License in Ajman

When planning a crypto project in Ajman, one of the first things investors ask is: how much money do I actually need on the table? The answer depends entirely on what kind of business you’re running. The UAE doesn’t treat every crypto company the same — a trading platform that takes market risk isn’t in the same league as a small advisory firm. The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) sets clear capital rules for each type of operation, and they take them seriously.

If your company trades on its own account — basically acting as a market maker — that’s the heavy-duty zone. You’re quoting prices, holding positions, and managing exposure. The minimum capital is 30 million AED (around $8.17 million USD). If you’re an agent just matching buyers and sellers without taking positions, the bar drops to 10 million AED (about $2.7 million USD).

Whatever your setup, the SCA wants every dirham of that capital to be paid in full and traceable. You’ll need to show where the money came from, backed by clean banking documents. I always prepare a file that includes capital confirmations, funding structure, and memos explaining every line — because even one unclear transfer can slow things down.

The rule of thumb is simple: the money must come directly from the shareholders, not loans or crypto wallets. It’s one of the toughest parts of the approval process, but once the funds are verified, the rest of the licensing path becomes much smoother.

Why Some Crypto Projects in Ajman Need Central Bank Approval

Here’s a common surprise for new crypto founders in Ajman: getting a green light from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) doesn’t always mean you’re done. If your token does anything that looks like a payment, you’re stepping into Central Bank territory. The CBUAE oversees all projects where tokens are used to pay, send, or hold value — even inside your own ecosystem.

The main category here is Payment Token Services Related (PTSR) — basically, anything involving crypto payments for products or services, or a built-in coin used as your platform’s currency. And if your project involves stablecoins, that’s a direct trigger for Central Bank regulation. These coins are treated as stored value systems (SVF) and must meet strict rules for capital, reserves, cybersecurity, and transparency.

My general rule is simple: if your white paper or app even hints that the token can be used to “pay,” “transfer,” or “load funds,” assume you’ll need the Central Bank’s blessing. They’ll look into everything — the token’s code, reserve model, transaction flow, and legal obligations between issuer and user.

It’s also key to remember: algorithmic stablecoins are banned in the UAE. Only fully collateralized, pegged tokens get approval, and the reserve money must sit safely in licensed banks. Peer-to-peer payments without KYC checks or regulated partners are also off the table.

For multi-layered projects — say, a trading platform that also handles payments — we build a dual-license structure: VASP approval from the SCA plus SVF authorization from the CBUAE. It’s extra work at first, but it’s what keeps your business legitimate, stable, and regulator-proof once you go live.

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Getting Licensed in Ajman: The Smart Way to Go Crypto

Earning a crypto license in Ajman isn’t complicated if you follow the right sequence. The secret is knowing when to talk to which regulator — and preparing your documents before they ask. Here’s how it goes in practice:

1. Pick your lane — VASP or PTSR/SVF. If your project deals with trading, custody, or crypto services, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) handles it. If it involves payments or stablecoins, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) joins the process.
2. Set up your company in Ajman Free Zone. Fast, affordable, and 100% foreign-owned — AFZ gives your project its legal base without needing a mainland office.
3. Get a pre-check from SCA. This informal review helps align your compliance setup, AML policies, and structure with UAE requirements before you file.
4. Submit your dossier. Include corporate records, AML/CFT policies, IT security plans, and details about your team.
5. Pass technical testing. Your system must undergo penetration and UAT tests to prove it’s secure and functional.
6. Get your crypto license. Once approved by SCA (and CBUAE if needed), your project is officially cleared to operate in Ajman.

Everything runs through official digital channels, keeping the process smooth, fast, and transparent — no middlemen, no delays.

Taxation for VASPs in Ajman: What Crypto Companies Need to Know

Since mid-2023, the UAE corporate tax (CPT) has been set at 9% on taxable profits exceeding 375,000 AED (around 102,000 USD). For companies operating in Free Zones, such as Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), there’s a significant benefit — they can qualify for a 0% rate if they meet the conditions of a Qualified Free Zone Person. To retain that benefit, the company must not trade directly with mainland UAE residents without registering a local branch. For crypto projects, especially those applying for a VASP license in Ajman, this creates an extra layer of responsibility. Every detail — from contracts and billing structures to invoicing and accounting records — must be perfectly aligned with tax rules to keep that zero-tax status intact.

Another important change came into effect in 2024, when the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) clarified the treatment of Value Added Tax (VAT) for digital asset operations. While the base VAT rate remains 5%, the FTA stated that certain crypto-related transactions could either be exempt or classified as financial services, taxed under a different scheme. Whether VAT applies depends on the VASP’s role. For example, an exchange operator facilitating crypto swaps might face one tax scenario, while a custody service or commission-based platform might qualify for exemption.

In practice, most VASPs in Ajman work closely with tax advisors to structure operations correctly. The aim is to balance compliance with efficiency — to ensure reporting, profit recognition, and service classification follow both SCA and FTA expectations. For investors and founders, understanding this tax architecture early can prevent expensive surprises later, especially as the UAE moves toward deeper integration of its financial and digital asset laws.

The Final Step: Building for the Long Game in Ajman

Getting your crypto license in Ajman is the start of the story, not the end. The process forces you to think long-term — about governance, compliance, and where your company fits between the SCA’s oversight and the Central Bank’s payment rules. It’s not just bureaucracy; it’s the system that keeps your business safe in a fast-moving market.

We usually start by creating a company in Ajman Free Zone, mapping out ownership, presence, and management structures that check every regulatory box. Then we shape the compliance backbone: AML/CFT policies, cybersecurity, and digital asset custody architecture — all in line with the SCA’s Rulebook.