UAE CARF implementation: Timeline, MOF consultation and compliance

Authorities confirmed uae carf implementation, setting a legal start date of 2027.

UAE crypto tax reporting and Ministry of Finance consultation

A formal consultation overseen by the Ministry of Finance opened to stakeholders, with submissions due on 8 November 2025.

It invites feedback from exchanges, banks and crypto service providers on aligning local tax reporting with CARF. For the official announcement, see the UAE Ministry of Finance announcement.

OECD CARF framework and cross border crypto transparency

The decision follows international momentum around the OECD CARF framework, which sets global technical standards for the crypto tax information exchange.

Observers note that more than 60 jurisdictions are expected to sign up by 2028, and early exchanges of information are expected to begin in 2028. For background and technical detail, consult the OECD CARF page.

Crypto service provider compliance and crypto asset reporting framework

Market participants — from centralised exchanges to custodians, and some fiat‑on/off ramps — must ready systems for the crypto asset reporting framework. Implementation begins in 2027, with the first international exchanges expected in 2028.

Therefore, firms should prioritise transaction monitoring, robust customer due diligence and secure data‑exchange channels to meet new compliance obligations. For practical steps on operational readiness, see our coverage of compliance challenges at Cryptonomist: compliance.

From our work with regional exchanges and custodians, we find that mapping on‑chain identifiers to KYC records and automating structured XML or JSON feeds are critical first steps.

Consequently, teams should run end‑to‑end tests against sample CARF schemas, reconcile wallet attributions, and allocate time for legal and data‑privacy reviews. Those preparations reduce operational risk and smooth the first reporting cycles.

As the Ministry stated, “The public consultation opened on 15 September 2025 and will remain open for eight weeks until 8 November 2025” to gather technical input from market participants (UAE Ministry of Finance).

Moreover, the OECD explains that CARF provides a framework for the automatic exchange of information relating to crypto‑asset transactions, supporting cross‑border tax transparency (OECD).

Implications for the market: blockchain, DeFi, NFTs and tax

Practically, the rules affect how on‑chain activity and off‑chain transactions are reconciled for tax purposes across asset classes.

Regulators aim to clarify reporting pathways and the role of intermediaries, which will influence how NFT marketplaces, DeFi protocols and hybrid services operate. Therefore, firms and advisers should map exposures, update reporting workflows and engage with the MOF consultation to shape workable rules.

With CARF set to begin in 2027 and international information exchange starting in 2028, the coming months are decisive for how the UAE and global markets adapt to a new era of crypto tax information exchange and cross‑border transparency.