Dubai has taken a significant step towards reshaping its real estate sector by embracing blockchain technology. On April 6, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) formalized a partnership to integrate blockchain into the city’s real estate registry. This collaboration is expected to link traditional property records with digital tokenization, introducing a shared governance model to support the transformation.
According to both authorities, the integrated system will enable digital documentation, improve tracking of property assets, and simplify the transfer of ownership. They also aim to establish a standardized framework for property tokenization services within Dubai, a move that reflects the broader ambitions of the city’s D33 economic agenda. That strategy, announced to double Dubai’s GDP within ten years, emphasizes modernization in key sectors, including real estate, by improving access to investment through digital tools.
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Pilot Program Sets the Stage for Expansion
The announcement builds upon a pilot initiative launched by the DLD on March 20, 2025. During this phase, the department began converting conventional property title deeds into blockchain-based real estate tokens. This was the first such program of its kind in the UAE, signaling Dubai’s commitment to lead regional innovation in the property sector.
Based on early assessments, the DLD projected that the tokenization of real estate in the UAE could potentially grow to more than $16 billion by 2033. That would amount to approximately 7% of Dubai’s real estate transaction volume, according to the agency’s forecast. The pilot focused on leveraging blockchain for title registration in order to improve transparency and efficiency by reducing administrative burdens.
Asset tokenization also opens the door for dividing real estate into smaller, more accessible investment units, which is particularly attractive to global investors looking to enter the Dubai property market.
Industry Experts Highlight Momentum
Industry stakeholders have recognized Dubai’s swift transition from pilot to execution. The CEO and co-founder of Tokinvest, Scott Thiel, described the pace of development as indicative of the city’s determination to redefine real estate investment through blockchain. He viewed the new DLD–VARA framework as a practical and functioning model for what he referred to as the next generation of real estate.
Thiel further suggested that the framework would simplify blockchain-based real estate investment for international participants and bring more operational consistency to the tokenized asset sector in the UAE.
Regulatory Infrastructure and Broader Impact
The DLD–VARA partnership introduces a formal regulatory system tailored to tokenized property transactions. This includes a unified compliance structure, shared licensing mechanisms, and integrated data tracking, all designed to manage digital property records efficiently.
VARA’s CEO, Mouhamad Alblooshi, stated that the agreement aligns the city’s property market with evolving digital asset governance. Plans are underway to incorporate token-based cross-border transactions, detailed audit mechanisms, and smart contract-driven transfers into the city’s existing blockchain strategy.
Beyond regulatory efforts, private sector players are also exploring blockchain-based real estate solutions. In January 2025, DAMAC Group entered into a $1 billion partnership with blockchain platform Mantra to tokenize residential, commercial, and undeveloped land holdings. This move reflects a growing trend of public-private collaboration to integrate blockchain into Dubai’s real estate ecosystem.
By converting real estate into digital tokens on blockchain networks, property tokenization facilitates fractional ownership, enhances liquidity, and supports automated transfers. These developments collectively point to a future where real estate investment in Dubai is more efficient, accessible, and globally integrated.
