The United Arab Emirates has signed a multilateral agreement to automatically exchange tax information on crypto-assets, joining a global effort to increase financial transparency in the digital economy. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the move on Saturday.
The agreement brings the UAE into the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), an initiative developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The framework is scheduled to take effect in the UAE in 2027, with the first cross-border sharing of data expected in 2028.
A New Standard for Digital Assets
The CARF establishes a common standard for reporting and sharing information on digital asset transactions. Under its guidelines, crypto service providers such as exchanges, brokers, and wallet providers will be required to collect and report details of their customers’ activities. This includes information on the buying, selling, exchanging, and transferring of crypto-assets.
Tax authorities in participating countries will then automatically share this data, creating a system to track cross-border transactions. The objective is to ensure individuals and businesses are paying the correct amount of tax on their crypto-related income and holdings. The framework extends the principles of existing international tax reporting standards, which already apply to traditional bank accounts, to the digital asset sector.
Consultation on Implementation
The UAE’s decision to sign the agreement follows a previous announcement from the ministry that it intended to adopt the framework. To prepare for its implementation, the Ministry of Finance has also opened a public consultation process.
The consultation invites input from key stakeholders, including advisory firms, crypto intermediaries, traders, custodians, and exchange platforms. The process, running from 15 September to 8 November 2025, aims to gather feedback to help shape regulatory rules that are clear, effective, and reflective of market needs. This initiative is part of a broader international push to improve tax compliance and prevent the misuse of crypto-assets for illicit purposes.