Dubai VARA Sets 100% Reserve Requirement in Audit Circular

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a reserve-asset audit circular on Oct. 6 requiring virtual asset service providers to maintain reserves covering at least 100% of customer liabilities throughout the review period.

The reserves must be held in the same virtual assets owed to customers at a 1:1 ratio. Providers also must reconcile those reserves daily.

The circular sets minimum requirements for independent audits. The audit scope must include assets held in hot, warm and cold wallets, along with third-party wallet infrastructure and custody assets.

Auditors are expected to examine whether customer assets are segregated, wallet control and whether assets are being restaked, lent or otherwise used.