Dubai has officially launched the first licensed tokenized real estate investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), marking a major milestone in the region’s push to merge blockchain technology with traditional property markets.
The initiative is a joint effort between the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the Central Bank of the UAE, the Dubai Future Foundation, and newly onboarded financial and tech partners. At the center of the rollout is Prypco Mint, a purpose-built platform allowing investors to purchase fractional property shares using blockchain-based tokens. During its pilot phase, the platform will operate exclusively in UAE Dirhams and will be available only to UAE residents with national IDs.
Zand Digital Bank has been appointed as the exclusive banking partner for the pilot, providing a regulated and secure fiat onramp into tokenized real estate exposure. The project coincides with a recent regulatory update from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which expanded its framework to include real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and enabled licensed secondary market trading of such assets.
The initiative builds on earlier blockchain projects by the DLD, including tokenizing Dubai’s real estate registry—an important step that improved property title transparency and transaction efficiency.
As global interest in tokenized assets accelerates, Dubai’s initiative positions the emirate as a frontrunner in bringing real estate on-chain at scale. It also aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to boost innovation, attract international investment, and strengthen the city’s role as a global digital asset hub.
Fractional Ownership Opens Doors to Small Investors
Dubai’s latest real estate initiative is unlocking access for retail investors through blockchain. Under the city’s first licensed tokenized property pilot, individuals can now purchase fractional shares of ready-to-own properties, with entry points starting at just AED 2,000 (approximately $545).
The pilot, launched on Prypco Mint, will facilitate transactions exclusively in UAE Dirhams. Cryptocurrency payments will not be accepted during this phase, and access remains limited to UAE ID holders. However, authorities plan to expand access to international participants in future phases.
The initiative supports a broader vision set out by the Dubai Land Department and VARA, which in April agreed to connect Dubai’s official real estate registry to tokenized property systems. The long-term goal is to increase liquidity in the real estate market and attract global capital by making property ownership more accessible and transferable.
Dubai’s efforts come amid its continued rise as a hub for blockchain development. Earlier this month, the emirate partnered with Crypto.com to enable digital asset payments for government services—part of a larger national strategy to establish the UAE as a leader in Web3, fintech, and tokenized economies.
Tokenized Real Estate Market to Hit $19.4B by 2033
Real estate is emerging as one of the most promising frontiers in the tokenization of real-world assets. According to a report by Custom Market Insights, the global real estate tokenization market is expected to reach $19.4 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 21%.
The appeal lies in blockchain’s ability to transform traditionally illiquid assets—like property—into accessible, tradeable digital tokens. This enables fractional ownership, increases liquidity, and lowers barriers for retail investors who want exposure to real estate without committing large capital upfront.
Residential, commercial, and industrial segments are all expected to contribute to this tokenized future. Platforms like RealT and Metlabs have already tokenized properties in the U.S. and Europe, offering blockchain-native access to rental income and capital appreciation.
However, challenges remain. Regulatory uncertainty has stalled several early-stage projects, underscoring the importance of clear legal frameworks and government backing. Dubai’s approach—combining progressive regulation with infrastructure support—offers a model that could accelerate global institutional adoption and unlock cross-border participation in tokenized real estate markets.
Quick Facts
- Dubai launches MENA’s first licensed tokenized property platform
- Prypco Mint allows fractional property shares from AED 2,000
- Pilot accepts only AED payments and UAE ID holders
- Zand Digital Bank provides fiat onramps for tokenized assets
- Global tokenized real estate market projected to hit $19.4B by 2033
