Dubai's financial sector is moving fast on digital assets. Senior officials and industry heads met at the first 'Forum of Daman Leaders in Digital Assets' to set the direction for the city's capital markets. The Waldorf Astoria DIFC hosted the event. This was not just another conference. It was a closed-door summit with a clear goal: decide how Dubai will draw global investment and lead in financial technology. According to Zawya, the forum focused on deepening capital markets, bringing in international investors, and pushing regulation and tokenisation in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 through 2033.
Inside the forum, one thing stood out. Dubai's plans for its capital markets are tied to its push to become a digital economy leader. Daman Virtual Assets and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism brought together regulators, investors, and tech experts. They debated how digital assets and tokenisation could change Dubai's financial scene by 2033. The Dubai Media Office has often pointed to the emirate's drive for a top-tier regulatory environment and its aim to attract foreign direct investment as part of its economic vision.
Regulation and market depth in focus
Shihab Gargash, founder and chairman of Daman Securities and Daman Investments, opened the talks. He said Dubai has built a strong financial centre with global links. Now, the next step is to deepen capital markets, bring in more international players, and make sure innovation leads to real, lasting growth. The key, he said, is using new tech to widen investor access and deliver value.
Ahmed Khidr Khan, CEO of Daman Investments and chairman of Daman Virtual Assets, pointed to the forum's unique setup. Government, regulators, and market players all sat at one table. He said open talks are needed to spot challenges early and keep Dubai ahead as a financial innovator. The focus on clear rules matches Dubai's legal setup. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), created by Dubai Law No. 4 of 2022, can license and supervise virtual asset issuers, exchanges, custodians, and managers. All these activities need a VARA licence outside the DIFC. Inside the DIFC free zone, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is in charge.
The first panel, 'Dubai's Digital Economy Ambitions: The Role of Capital Markets,' included Abdullah Al Qaoud from Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Dr Marwan Alzarouni from the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dr Aisha Bin Lootah from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and Ahmed Wahid, CEO of Daman Securities. They discussed how the D33 Economic Agenda could bring in more international investment and put Dubai among the world's top financial hubs. The panel also looked at how rules must keep up with fast tech changes and how tokenisation could shape the market through 2033. Reports from Emirates News Agency (WAM) have shown the government's push to make Dubai a top spot for digital asset innovation and cross-border capital flows.
Tokenisation: from pilot to mainstream
The second session, 'The Future of Tokenised Capital Markets,' got practical. Speakers Bushra Darwazeh of Galaxy Digital, Mark Eng of Zand, Maryam Kiwan of Confirmo, and Ahmed Ismail, co-founder and board member of Daman Virtual Assets, talked about how tokenisation could open up access to assets like sukuk, investment funds, and global stocks. They asked what it will take for tokenised assets to move from pilot projects to everyday financial products. In 2025, VARA set rules for digital token creation. These rules require strong corporate governance, clear reserve asset transparency, and clear redemption rights for fiat-backed or asset-backed tokens, as reported by Asia Asset and confirmed in regulatory updates.
Ahmed Ismail said digital assets must meet the same trust, transparency, and protection standards that investors expect from established markets. As the sector grows, he said, the focus should move from the tech itself to the real value it brings to investors and the financial system. The DFSA has changed its approach. Licensed firms now check token suitability themselves. They must meet tougher disclosure and operational resilience rules. The DFSA dropped its own whitelist in January 2026, according to Protegra.
Dubai's place in the global tokenisation race came up too. Panellists debated what could make the city's market stand out as more institutions get involved. The timing matters. Daman Virtual Assets, owned by Daman Investments, is growing fast in Dubai's regulated virtual asset sector after entering the market earlier this year. Daman Virtual Assets holds a VARA brokerage licence. Inside the DIFC, the DFSA is still the regulator. Dubai uses a dual system for virtual asset oversight.
Platforms and real-world innovation
Attendees got a close look at 'Daman Crypto,' the main trading platform from Daman Virtual Assets. It launched in May 2026. The platform targets institutions, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, corporates, and Web3 firms. It offers deep liquidity, best execution, AED settlement, and direct banking links in the UAE. Daman Virtual Assets has a 'Brokerage Services' licence from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The company draws on over 27 years of Daman's financial experience to give regulated access to virtual assets. Arabian Business covered the launch, noting its focus on strong infrastructure and compliance for institutions.
This push for practical, regulated innovation matches Dubai's wider plan to attract global capital and digital talent. The city's approach is different from other markets. Recent coverage of Dubai Chambers' outreach shows this. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Dubai's economic authorities keep backing digital transformation. Their goal is to make Dubai a global financial hub.
Dubai's financial leaders are betting on open talks, clear rules, and working platforms. They want digital assets to be more than a buzzword. The aim is real, lasting growth. The forum made one thing clear. Dubai does not plan to follow global trends. It wants to set them. The city is using its flexible rules and hunger for innovation to shape the future of finance in the region and beyond.
