Dubai Launches Real Estate Tokenization
Dubai has launched Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, creating a tokenized secondary market to boost liquidity for property investors [https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/dubais-new-tokenised-secondary-market-ends-the-real-estate-lock-in-rzbzhe8j]. The move aims to solve the traditional "lock-in" problem associated with real estate investments [https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/dubais-new-tokenised-secondary-market-ends-the-real-estate-lock-in-rzbzhe8j]. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is backing France’s Ardian in real estate secondaries, signaling a global diversification trend [https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/dubais-new-tokenised-secondary-market-ends-the-real-estate-lock-in-rzbzhe8j].
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched Phase 2 of its Real Estate Tokenization Project on February 20, 2026, enabling secondary market trading of 7.8 million tokens representing fractional ownership in Dubai properties. This allows investors to buy and sell tokenized property stakes through the PRYPCO Mint App. The move signifies a shift from pilot testing to regulated execution, developed in partnership with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the Dubai Future Foundation, and the Central Bank of the UAE. The pilot phase, running from March 2025 to February 2026 under the REES Real Estate Innovation Initiative, saw rapid sell-outs, including a Kensington Waters apartment that sold out in under two minutes, attracting 149 investors from 35 nationalities. The success of the pilot led to the activation of secondary market trading, with the DLD aiming for tokenized assets to represent 7% of Dubai's real estate market by 2033, valued at approximately $16 billion. Currently, Phase 2 is open to UAE residents aged 18 and above with a valid Emirates ID, with a minimum investment of AED 2,000. International investor access is planned for future phases. The initiative supports the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033 and UAE Vision 2071, promoting market stability, transparency, and digital innovation.
