Core Perspective - The crypto industry requires safe markets rather than safe havens, emphasizing the need for environments conducive to building rather than merely hiding from risks [1]. Regulatory Landscape - The crypto industry has faced a decade-long regulatory struggle, with innovators advocating for less oversight and skeptics warning against the risks of insufficient regulation, a divide exacerbated by the FTX collapse in November 2022 [2]. - Many crypto businesses adopted a "safe haven" strategy, seeking jurisdictions with minimal regulation, which allowed for rapid scaling but resulted in markets lacking investor protection and inconsistent enforcement [3][4]. UAE's Regulatory Approach - The UAE has established a balanced regulatory framework for crypto, focusing on innovation while ensuring safety through entities like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) [5]. - The UAE aims to create an ecosystem prioritizing safety and supervision, contrasting with the earlier trend of attracting companies seeking regulatory shortcuts [6]. Institutional Investment Trends - Institutional investors, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, are increasingly drawn to markets with proven strategies and reliable regulatory frameworks, favoring jurisdictions with consistent and transparent enforcement [7].