IMF praises UAE for upcoming launch of Digital Dirham

The IMF praised the UAE for its improvements in the currency framework of the Dirham, strong progress of the Digital Dirham (CBDC) project, and proactive regulations on stablecoin. The organization recommended that the UAE continue to modernize its financial system, promote the domestic capital market, and maintain close coordination among regulatory agencies to monitor risks in digital assets.

The IMF welcomes the UAE for complying with international standards, enhancing oversight, and effectively implementing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies (AML/CFT), helping the country to be removed from the FATF's monitoring list.

In September 2025, the UAE will participate in the Global Cryptocurrency Assets Reporting Framework (CARF), expected to share tax data starting in 2028. The IMF projects UAE's GDP to grow by 4.8% in 2025 and 5% in 2026, driven by growth outside oil and gas, tourism, and finance; inflation is stable around 2%.