Regulating digital assets requires evolving legislative frameworks
QNA
Doha
The Qatar Economic Forum 2025 Wednesday discussed the regulation of cryptocurrency and digital assets, emphasizing the need to develop advanced legislative frameworks that account for global economic and political changes.
A forum session titled 'It's Time to HODL: Crypto Investor Outlook' examined the complexities of investing in digital assets, key opportunities, and risks, highlighting that traditional regulatory frameworks are no longer sufficient to govern the evolving sector.
Speakers included CEO of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, CEO of BitOasis Ola Doudin, CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Emmanuel Givanakis.
Al Jaida stated that since 2018, QFC has been developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, focusing on risk management related to anti-money laundering (AML), data protection, creating a secure investment environment.
He noted that QFC has adopted a flexible approach aligned with market developments, while enhancing governance and compliance standards to reduce risks without stifling innovation.
Panelists emphasized the importance of differentiating between cryptocurrencies and digital assets, clarifying that digital assets include tokenized assets unrelated to digital currencies.
Al Jaida explained that Qatar Central Bank does not support direct cryptocurrency use, such as Bitcoin, leading QFC to focus regulatory efforts on asset tokenization, particularly in the real estate sector.
He said that tokenization of real-world assets democratizes investment access and drives economic growth, adding that the Gulf real estate market holds significant opportunities for this
transition.
Speakers highlighted that some markets lack regulatory clarity, enabling unregulated platforms that pose risks to consumers and expose vulnerabilities for money laundering.They underscored the importance of regional coordination among financial centers, noting that consistent policies across countries are essential for success, given differing regulations in the sector.
Panelists also pointed to rising demand for cross-border payment tools and cryptocurrencies in the Gulf, signaling a shift in digital asset usage from speculation to practical economic applications.
Additionally, growing institutional interest in digital assets, with major investors entering the market, is fostering maturity and confidence in the sector.
In closing, speakers affirmed that the future of digital assets in the Gulf is promising, provided that regulatory frameworks continue evolving, regional cooperation strengthens, and transparency increases to protect investors.
Such advancements will ensure sustainable growth for this rapidly expanding sector.
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