In July 2025, the UAE government clarified that owning cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum does not qualify someone for the UAE Golden Visa. The visa program excludes direct crypto holdings from eligibility, regardless of the amount. However, property purchased using cryptocurrency remains eligible, provided it meets all legal requirements. The UAE allows buying real estate with crypto through government-regulated platforms and tokenisation systems. To qualify under the property route, an investor must own one or more properties valued at a minimum of AED 2 million (around USD 545,000). Ownership must be officially registered with authorities like the Dubai Land Department, and the property must have a current valuation certificate. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) confirmed that claims enabling crypto holdings to secure Golden Visas are false. They emphasized crypto itself is not a visa category. But the UAE has not barred property bought with cryptocurrency from qualifying for the Golden Visa. Dubai also permits crypto payments for ready and off-plan real estate projects through licensed developers including DAMAC, Emaar, and Nakheel. These transactions follow strict AML and KYC rules. Real estate tokenisation lets investors buy small shares of properties as digital tokens. However, fractional ownership does not count for Golden Visa eligibility unless it can be consolidated into a single legally registered ownership worth AED 2 million or more. To apply for a Golden Visa through crypto-funded purchases, investors must pass compliance checks, have registered ownership, and meet residency rules. The key factor is property ownership and valuation, not the source of payment. Investors should note that local laws also apply. For example, Indian crypto regulations restrict offshore transactions, cautioning investors to follow their home country rules closely. This update reflects UAE’s growing regulation of crypto within real estate while keeping its residency program’s standards clear and firm.