Digital Assets Regulatory Affairs (UAE × US)

I help fintech and digital-asset teams translate regulation into a regulator-ready operating model, so banks, investors, and regulators can say “yes.”

How I can help

I’m an independent advisor focused on digital assets regulatory affairs across the UAE and US. I help teams turn regulatory complexity into an actionable operating model - clear responsibilities, controls, and evidence that stand up in bank, investor, and regulator conversations.

Regulatory perimeter & licensing strategy (UAE/US)

map your activities to regimes and define a realistic pathway (VARA/ADGM/DIFC; MSB/MTL and federal touchpoints).

Program build & readiness

ranslate requirements into controls, policies/SOPs, governance, reporting cadence, and an evidence pack teams can actually run.

Tokenization / RWA operating model

pilot blueprints that align issuance/custody/secondary-market assumptions with governance and compliance expectations.

Regulator-ready by design.

Key Offers

UAE Regulator-Ready Program

VARA / ADGM FSRA / DIFC DFSA

Best for: VASPs and fintechs preparing for licensing, bank onboarding, or regulator scrutiny in the UAE.

  • Regulatory perimeter + activity mapping (what applies, and why)

  • Regulator-ready operating model: governance, roles (RACI), controls, reporting cadence

  • Documentation pack plan (policies/SOPs, RBP, registers, evidence checklist)

  • Submission & Q&A readiness support (narrative, customer journeys, controls mapping)

  • 90-day execution roadmap with priorities and dependencies

Typical timeline: 2–6 weeks (depending on scope and regulator stage)

US Market Entry Compliance Map

MSB/MTL + regulator-risk perimeter

Best for: Crypto/fintech teams expanding into the US (on/off-ramps, payments, wallets, exchanges, stablecoin/RWA platforms).

  • Business model classification + regulatory perimeter map (federal + state touchpoints)

  • MSB/BSA/OFAC baseline architecture: core requirements, controls, evidence expectations

  • State MTL strategy (sequencing, scope assumptions, realistic roadmap)

  • Risk map for SEC/FINRA exposure (where relevant) + mitigation options

  • Bank/investor-ready compliance narrative + 90-day plan

Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks for a decision-ready map

Tokenization & RWA Operating Model

Pilot Blueprint

Best for: TradFi, commodities, and RWA/tokenization teams that need a credible structure investors, banks, and regulators will take seriously.

  • Target operating model (issuance/redemption, custody assumptions, counterparties, workflows)

  • Governance + risk/control framework aligned to regulated expectations

  • Compliance mapping (disclosures, market conduct, AML/sanctions touchpoints)

  • Pilot blueprint: scope, stakeholders, milestones, evidence requirements

  • Partner/infrastructure requirements (custody, KYC/KYT, audit, reporting)

Typical timeline: 3–5 weeks (pilot blueprint + roadmap)

Hiring / Interim Roles

Interim / Fractional Head of Regulatory Affairs

Policy · Licensing · Compliance (UAE × US)
2–8 hrs/week or 1–2 days/week

I step in as a senior, hands-on regulatory lead to own the workstream and keep execution moving, especially when you’re:- preparing for licensing or regulator conversations,
- dealing with bank onboarding / de-risking,
- expanding across jurisdictions, or
- building the compliance function before hiring full-time.What I can own- Regulatory strategy + licensing workstreams (UAE: VARA/ADGM/DIFC; US: MSB/MTL perimeter, SEC/FINRA/CFTC/FinCEN/OFAC)
- Regulator/bank/investor narratives, decks, and Q&A preparation
- Compliance operating model: governance, RACI, controls, evidence expectations
- Vendor & partner coordination (counsel, CSPs, KYC/KYT, audit) — alignment and accountability
- Internal briefings on policy change and “what it means for product”How we work- Weekly cadence (30–60 min) + async review and deliverables
- Clear 30/60/90-day priorities and reporting
- Can support search & handover to a permanent Head of Policy/Compliance/Regulations/Licensing

If you’re hiring or need interim coverage, send a short note with your timeline and scope.

Ways to Start

Paid Advisory Call
(60/120)

  • For time-sensitive decisions on licensing, AML/CTF, regulator expectations, or “what should we do next?”

  • Includes: 60 or 120 min working session + clear recommendations and next steps (call notes + action list)

  • If we proceed with a project within 14 days, the consultation fee is credited toward the engagement

Quick Diagnostic
(Async, 48h)

  • Submit links/docs → receive a decision-ready memo in 2 business days

  • Includes: top gaps/risks + 30/60/90 priorities + recommended pathway

  • Great for UAE/US licensing, bank onboarding, or tokenization pilots

  • If we proceed with a project within 14 days, the consultation fee is credited toward the engagement

Background & Credentials

I specialize in bridging policy, AML, and product—making sure legal advice turns into controls, documentation, and narratives stakeholders actually understand.

About Maria

I bring 10+ years across multilateral organizations and digital-asset businesses, combining policy, compliance, and execution.United Nations (New York) — governance and compliance operations in high-risk environments.OECD (Paris) — innovation policy reviews (Kazakhstan, Malaysia) and digital-economy governance.MITEX (digital asset funds & blockchain ventures) — multi-jurisdictional fund formation, regulatory strategy, and product builds across MENA, EU, and Cayman.

Insights

I write short, practical notes on digital asset regulation around the world — what changed, what it means, and what teams should do next. Sign up to stay up to date!

What are you building?

Let's stay in touch

If you need to get bank-ready, investor-ready, or regulator-ready, send a short note to [email protected]I’ll respond within 1–2 business days if it’s a fit.

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