The United Arab Emirates has enacted Federal Decree No. 6 of 2025, placing decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3, stablecoin protocols, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and cross-chain bridges under the supervision of the central bank. Effective since September 2025, this regulation marks the first time these sectors are regulated by the central bank. The decree mandates that projects involved in payments, custody, lending, or investment services must secure appropriate licensing by September 2026. Failure to comply could result in fines up to AED 1 billion (approximately $272 million) and potential criminal penalties, underscoring the UAE's commitment to regulating the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.