Home News UAE Ranks Second Globally in Crypto Friendliness

UAE Achieves Second Place in Global Crypto Rankings

Sep 10, 2026
80 min
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Sep 10, 2026 00:30
UAE rises to No. 2 in global crypto ranking with 10 out of 10 tax score

## UAE's Rise in Crypto Rankings

The United Arab Emirates has climbed to the second position in the global crypto-friendly rankings, according to the Henley Crypto Adoption Index 2026. This marks a significant improvement from its previous fifth-place standing. The UAE received a perfect score for tax friendliness, placing it just behind Singapore.

## Scoring and Criteria

The UAE scored 46.4 out of a possible 60 points, with Singapore leading at 47.1 and Hong Kong at 46.2. The index evaluates countries based on six criteria: public adoption, infrastructure, innovation, regulation, economic factors, and tax policies. The UAE excelled particularly in tax policies, earning a 10 out of 10, and also scored highly in innovation and technology.

## Regulatory Environment

Dubai's establishment of a dedicated virtual asset regulator and a separate crypto framework in the Dubai International Financial Centre were highlighted as key factors in the UAE's ranking. These developments, along with favorable personal taxation and updated rules for exchanges and token issuance, have contributed to the UAE's attractiveness as a crypto hub.

## Global Context

Singapore maintained its top position for the fourth consecutive year, while the US and Switzerland followed the UAE in fourth and fifth places, respectively. The global cryptocurrency market was valued at $2.6 trillion as of August 31, 2026, with an estimated 135,694 individuals holding at least $1 million in cryptocurrency assets.

## Wealth Mobility Competitiveness

In addition to its crypto ranking, the UAE also topped Henley's Wealth Mobility Competitiveness measure, scoring 85.3 out of 100. This measure assesses countries on their ability to attract wealthy and globally mobile investors.

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