Tekin Salimi

🚨 Dubai Is Quietly Rewriting the Future of Real Estate, Crypto, and Compliance While many jurisdictions are still debating how to regulate virtual assets, Dubai is executing — and doing so with precision. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has just issued 36 new VASP licenses, with over 400 regulated entities now actively shaping what’s fast becoming the most advanced crypto jurisdiction globally. But this isn’t just about tokens or exchanges anymore. Property tokenization is now a live, regulated reality. Dubai is officially the first government in the Middle East to tokenize real estate title deeds — ✅ Backed by the Dubai Land Department ✅ Licensed by VARA ✅ Secured on the XRP Ledger ✅ Powered by Ripple ✅ With ownership starting at just AED 2,000 This means investors can now hold fractional ownership of real property in Dubai — transparently, instantly, and under full regulatory oversight. VARA’s Rulebook 2.0 is here — and it’s anything but business as usual. It introduces tighter margin-trading controls, clearer custody wallet definitions, and robust market abuse protocols (yes, including spoofing and wash trades). For the first time, on-chain and off-chain monitoring are working in sync, delivering compliance by design. Licensing acceleration is also in full swing. From proprietary trading to blockchain infrastructure, VARA is fast-tracking serious players while maintaining uncompromising standards. The message is clear: Operate transparently, or don’t operate at all. This isn’t about speculation anymore. It’s about infrastructure — legal, technical, and commercial — being built for the next financial era. If you’re in law, real estate, finance, or Web3: pay attention to the regulatory architecture, not just the market noise. Dubai is not waiting for the future to happen. It’s building it. If you’re watching this space from the sidelines, don’t blink. #VARA #Dubai #VirtualAssets #Tokenization #CryptoLaw #RealEstateInnovation #Web3 #Blockchain #Regulation #Ripple #XRP #DigitalEconomy #MiddleEastLeadership

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Navigating the legal landscape of crypto-assets in the UAE requires more than just technical knowledge; it demands a deep understanding of judicial pragmatism. My analysis of recent court judgments reveals a consistent trend: the UAE judiciary looks beyond technological novelty to the underlying economic substance of transactions. Whether it is an undocumented over-the-counter transfer or a complex investment scheme, the courts are applying foundational principles of commercial law to bring clarity to this evolving sector. This pragmatic approach provides much-needed predictability for investors and legal practitioners alike. However, understanding the nuances of how these principles are applied is critical for effective risk management and dispute resolution. My upcoming book, UAE Crypto Litigation, offers a comprehensive analysis of these judicial trends, providing a roadmap for navigating this dynamic legal environment. For a detailed breakdown of key judgments and practical guidance, visit https://lnkd.in/ehGidFq7. #UAELaw #CryptoLitigation #DigitalAssets #LegalTech #CommercialLaw

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𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁! 🚀 As inboxes overflow and coffee cups refill, the finance market across the Middle East is already buzzing. Here’s what we're seeing: 💸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆 Banks remain the dominant force in their chosen market segments and are becoming more creative in servicing borrowers that previously may have been unable to tap traditional bank lending – including by teaming up with private credit providers. Could this blended approach become the new normal for mid-market deals? Samer Eido and Anthony Traboulsi are leading the way. 🌉 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽 Private credit funds are stepping up: • 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸-𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Perhaps most interestingly, banks and private credit funds are no longer just eyeing each other warily across the table—they’re teaming up. • 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁-𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: The opportunity set is broadening beyond the real estate sector. Private credit providers are rolling out more sophisticated structures, including receivables-backed facilities with ring-fenced cash-flows—especially among tech-enabled corporates. • 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀: With less competition than in the US and Europe, private credit investors can command better pricing, stronger covenant protections, and enhanced security packages. • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝘃𝘆: Enforcement pathways, downside protections and jurisdiction choices remain paramount. 💸 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 SWFs and family offices increasingly backing private credit strategies. Kamar Jaffer recently published an insightful overview of how investors are embracing co-investment strategies. 📉 𝗡𝗣𝗟 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 A quiet uptick in non-performing loan portfolio sales is freeing up bank balance sheets. ⚖️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with frameworks that actively encourage the establishment of private credit funds. Jodi Norman remains at the forefront in navigating these developments. 🏆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 In 2024, three landmark restructurings—Emirates Hospitals Group, JBF RAK, and Drake & Scull International—confirmed the UAE bankruptcy law’s ability to tackle complex cases. Between us, Adam Banks and I were fortunate to advise on all three, supported by an outstanding team. The resulting boost in investor confidence has been widely noted; less often discussed is the positive impact these successes are having in reshaping negotiation dynamics and contingency planning for restructurings across the region. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆? The market is more sophisticated, diverse, and competitive than ever. Borrowers have more options, lenders have greater flexibility, and legal frameworks are modernising. That’s a powerful mix. What trends are you seeing? #PrivateCredit #MiddleEastRestructuring #Banking

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Happy to share our latest thought-leadership piece from IN’P IBRAHIM .N. PARTNERS on one of the most important corporate law developments in the UAE this year. Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 marks a decisive shift in the UAE mainland regime with the statutory recognition of drag-along and tag-along rights, a reform that materially strengthens exit certainty, minority protection and investor confidence in onshore structures. I encourage investors and advisors to read the full piece and share their thoughts. #INPIbrahimNPartners #UAECorporateLaw #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #CorporateGovernance #InvestorProtection #ExitMechanisms #DealStructuring #UAELaw #CapitalMarkets #ThoughtLeadership #financail #advisors

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🔍 Unlocking Growth: Mergers & Acquisitions in the UAE In today’s fast-evolving UAE market, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a key strategy for businesses aiming to expand, restructure, or enhance competitiveness. But behind every successful deal lies a detailed legal framework — especially around liability transfer, creditor rights, and compliance. Here’s a quick overview of what every investor and business owner should know under Federal Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies 👇 ⚖️ What Constitutes a Merger? A merger occurs when two or more companies combine, either through: Acquisition (ضم) – one company absorbs another, or Combination (مزج) – both merge into a new entity. This requires General Assembly approval and a merger contract detailing share transfers, ownership, and obligations. 🧾 Key Legal Procedures 1️⃣ Prepare and review the merger contract with authorities. 2️⃣ Obtain Extraordinary General Assembly approval. 3️⃣ Notify creditors within 10 working days and publish in two local newspapers. 4️⃣ Creditors have 30 days to object. 5️⃣ After the period expires (or objections are resolved), the merger can be implemented. 💼 Liability Transfer After a Merger Once completed, the merged entity’s legal personality ceases, and the acquiring or new company assumes all: Rights and obligations, Debts and liabilities, and Legal and contractual commitments. Creditors’ rights remain protected, and lack of objection within the period is deemed implicit consent. Hence, conducting thorough legal and financial due diligence is essential before any merger. 📈 Modern Legal Updates ✅ Electronic submission and processing of merger applications. ✅ Stronger disclosure and transparency obligations. ✅ Simplified mergers for holding and subsidiary companies. ✅ Enhanced oversight to prevent anti-competitive effects. 💡 Final Thought A merger is not just a financial decision — it’s a strategic legal transformation. Understanding your rights, liabilities, and obligations ensures not only compliance but also sustainable business growth in the UAE’s dynamic market. #UAE #CorporateLaw #MergersAndAcquisitions #UAEBusiness #CommercialCompaniesLaw #LegalUpdates #CorporateGovernance #InHouseCounsel #BusinessStrategy #LegalInsights #UAECompaniesLaw

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Very pleased to have helped The Arab Energy Fund (APICORP) to make their big return to the Sukuk market with a benchmark 10-year Sukuk - after being involved in a number of conventional issuances, we got the Sukuk off the ground early this year to add to a record-breaking 2026 opening for international Islamic Finance private placement market. Press release: White & Case advises on the issuance of US$500 million Trust Certificates following simultaneous updates of The Arab Energy Fund’s Global Medium Term Note Programme and Trust Certificate Issuance Programme

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I am pleased to share our latest article, co-authored with El-Sayed Mohamed, Associate Partner – Litigation, providing an in-depth analysis of the action for non-enforceability of dispositions under UAE law and the exclusion of attorney’s professional fees from creditor challenges.

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We extend our congratulations to International Holding Company IHC, Sirius International Holding, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) on the approval granted by the Central Bank of The UAE (CBUAE) for the UAE dirham backed stablecoin (DDSC). This milestone reflects the UAE’s progressive regulatory framework and its continued advancement in integrating conventional financial markets with regulated digital infrastructure. Such developments reinforce market confidence, enhance financial ecosystem resilience, and support the evolution of both traditional and digital capital platforms within a structured and compliant environment. At ABWAB Holdings, we welcome this advancement and look forward to observing its positive contribution to the broader financial landscape. Congratulations to all institutions involved. #FintechUAE #DigitalAssets #CapitalMarkets #CBUAE #IHC #FAB

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✨ The UAE just - quietly - introduced the biggest upgrade to LLC flexibility in over a decade ... and it changes everything for founders and investors. ✨ If you operate a UAE mainland LLC, your MOA/AOA may already be outdated. Here are the most important changes you should know about UAE Mainland LLCs: 1 - LLCs can now issue multiple classes of shares — preferred, voting, convertibles and more. 2 - Drag-along and tag-along rights can be written directly into the MOA/AOA. 3 - You can now pre-design how ownership transfers on the death of a shareholder. 4 - Authorities may appoint independent directors to break deadlocks. 5 - LLCs may migrate between mainland and free-zones without liquidation. 6 - New non-profit companies enable impact-driven founders to build formal structures inside the UAE. These reforms bring UAE mainland LLCs closer to international venture and growth-company practice. The real opportunity now is not simply updating documents — it is designing cleaner ownership, stronger protection and a future-proof foundation for scale. If you want a review of your current LLC structure, or you’re exploring how to modernise your MOA/AOA, we’re already guiding founders and investors through these changes. #UAE #UAELaw #CorporateLaw #Founders #Entrepreneurs #Startups #VentureCapital #Investors #Governance #Dubai #AbuDhabi #Leadership #StrategicThinking

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Feeling incredibly grateful to call the UAE home during times like these, where I feel safe and where the leadership continues to show how seriously they take the responsibility of protecting the people who live here. At the same time, the past weeks have been a reminder of how quickly headlines can become misleading, especially in a part of the world that is so often spoken ABOUT, but rarely spoken FROM. That’s why I’m so proud of Maria Najjar for finally launching ALT MENA, a publication dedicated to telling the alternative story of this region by the people who are actually part of it. If you want a perspective that reflects what’s real, give it a read: https://lnkd.in/duJFDRvw

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HAQQ Legal AI, a Lebanon-based company developing an AI operating system for the legal services sector, has raised $3 million in a funding round comprising a mix of financing instruments. For more details:  https://lnkd.in/d7enEi3u

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The framework regulating 'Supply Chain Finance' in the UAE has been examined by Vaibhavi and Ahlam in this insightful article. It decrypts the opportunities and challenges within the three distinct regulatory environments, namely Federal UAE law, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Each jurisdiction adopts a distinct approach, offering unique perspectives and regulatory nuances. This analysis is especially valuable for financial institutions, FinTechs, and legal professionals navigating the exciting and evolving trade finance landscape in the region. 📖 Dive into the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gZK96ftv #SupplyChainFinance #FederalUAELaw #DubaiInternationalFinancialCentre #DIFC #AbuDhabiGlobalMarket #ADGM #FinTech

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UAE business strategy in 2025 is no longer about entry; it is about substance. If you are an international founder viewing the UAE merely as a "tax-free gateway," you are already two years behind the curve. The regulatory landscape has shifted tectonically, and the old playbooks, "Sleeping Partners" and "Shell Licenses", are now liabilities. Here are the 3 critical pivots for the UAE market right now: 1. The "Substance" Test (ESR) is Real. A trade license is no longer a shield. With the implementation of 9% Corporate Tax and Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), the authorities are asking: Does the value creation happen here? If your management decisions happen in India/Europe but you bill in Dubai, you aren't saving tax, you are walking into a compliance minefield. 2. The "Data Wall" Has Been Built. Under the UAE’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), you can no longer treat UAE client data as a borderless asset. If your CRM sits on a server in Bangalore or California without explicit cross-border protocols, you are non-compliant. Data sovereignty is the new trade barrier. 3. 100% Ownership ≠ Total Control. While 100% foreign ownership in Mainland Dubai is a reality, the Commercial Agency Law still lurks in poorly drafted contracts. If you sign an "Exclusive Distribution" deal without specific "Service Level" definitions, you can still get legally locked into a partner you cannot fire. Rule: Hire a "Distributor," but contract them as a "Service Provider." The Verdict: The UAE is no longer a playground for the unprepared. It is a powerhouse for the compliant. Structure your entry with precision, not just speed. #UAEBusiness #CorporateTax #ESR #DataSovereignty #MiddleEastBusiness #LegalStrategy

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The MENA region’s startup ecosystem has entered 2026 in good health. Investment in MENA startups achieved a new peak of $7.5 billion in 2025, representing a 225% YoY increase in total funding value, according to Wamda’s annual report. Saudi Arabia led the way, with startups in the Kingdom raising $5 billion across 211 deals, followed by the UAE with $2 billion raised across 218 startups, and Egypt with $263 million across 89 deals. Early-stage startups dominated investment activity, raising $1.3 billion from 486 deals, compared with $1 billion deployed through 44 later-stage transactions. Fintech remained the dominant sector, attracting $4.4 billion for 58% of total funding, followed by proptech with $1 billion raised and e-commerce with $372.5 million. #startups #funding #investment https://lnkd.in/eM9HGZmX

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This is very positive for building global enterprises and success by the UAE..Capital needs to be accessible on merit and without barriers.Efficient capital allocations unlock the wider benefits.Many of China's largest SOEs did not allocate capital efficiently with the result that they limited their achievements and failed to benchmark with the global powerhouses.

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I was asked yesterday why so many founders choose the UAE My answer surprised them. I said: “Because it removes noise.” Noise is: – unclear rules – slow approvals – hidden restrictions – unpredictable compliance – ownership limitations When that noise disappears, something powerful happens: Founders stop managing problems and start building companies. The UAE doesn’t make business easy. It makes business clear. Clear structures. Clear ownership. Clear timelines. Clear pathways to scale. That clarity compounds. It saves months. It saves capital. It saves energy. And those three things are what most startups actually run out of. Not ideas. 📩 If you’re thinking about setting up a company in the UAE and want to understand whether it truly fits your business, DM me. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessInUAE #DubaiBusiness #GlobalBusiness #CompanyFormation #FounderLife #BusinessGrowth #DMMe

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Sovereign capital being made available in UAE for patient growth funding is needed to accelerate platforms in green energy transition ,AI transition , LNG , gas storage ,chemicals,infrastructure ,data centers,aviation, ports, rail, food, pharma, fintech,healthtech and industrial tech.The path to building global powerhouses and hubs is not short term and needs strong sovereign support for the legal and commercial framework,as well as efficient access to capital and clever strategic advisors drawing on the internationals 'best and brightest' with an international mindset. What some term a 'conclave of experts'.The last 7 days highlights the need for review of infrastructure needs and supply chains ,diversification and global asset portfolios for risk control ,flexibility and growth. The consolidation of ADQ and L'IMAD in Abu Dhabi will be a driver for these changes. Our legal consultancy in the UAE specialises in these advisory services with both legal and commercial advisors who can team with investors and entrepreneurs to deliver successful outcomes.

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