CertiK is expanding its engagement with the United Arab Emirates’ digital asset sector as security incidents and growing institutional adoption increase the need for independent verification, risk management and regulatory compliance.
The blockchain security company is building on partnerships with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 and Dubai-based Gate Dubai, while establishing a stronger local presence through engineering and business development personnel in Dubai.
Its work with Hub71 gives eligible startups in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) ecosystem access to discounted security services and free CertiK Compliance services. As an official Hub71 vendor, CertiK supports startups preparing for licensing and managing ongoing compliance requirements, addressing some of the operational challenges facing businesses entering the regulated digital asset market.
The company’s engagement also extends to established exchanges. In March 2026, CertiK completed an independent Proof of Reserves verification for Gate Dubai, a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)-licensed exchange. The assessment confirmed at least 100% reserve coverage across 10 digital assets as of Dec. 31, 2025.
UAE Security Incidents Highlight Growing Exposure
CertiK’s expanding regional activity comes against a backdrop of reported security incidents involving digital asset businesses in the UAE.
The company’s research identified five incidents in 2026 that originated in the UAE or involved UAE-registered entities. Four resulted in approximately $8.02 million in documented losses, while the financial impact of the fifth incident has yet to be confirmed.
CertiK cautioned that these figures may not reflect the full scale of the problem. Limitations in incident reporting and attribution mean the actual number of security events and associated financial losses could be considerably higher.
The findings point to the challenges facing institutions as they expand digital asset operations. Regulatory authorization alone does not address the ongoing risks associated with asset custody, infrastructure security and operational management.
CertiK Calls for Continuous Security Beyond Compliance
The distinction between regulatory compliance and ongoing security was a central theme at a media briefing hosted by CertiK during Dubai FinTech Summit 2026.
Titled “The Trillion-Dollar Trust Gap: Why Institutional Finance Still Hesitates on Digital Assets,” the discussion examined the barriers preventing traditional financial institutions from adopting digital assets at a larger scale.
CertiK Chief Business Officer Jason Jiang argued that institutions need to treat security and compliance as continuous operational requirements rather than one-time regulatory milestones.
“Financial institutions are making real progress in bringing digital assets into financial services, but regulatory approval is only the starting point,” Jiang said. “Protecting customer assets and managing risks as operations scale requires continuous security and compliance.”
He added that CertiK is expanding its role beyond Web3 security toward becoming the “Trust Layer for Digital Value,” with a focus on helping institutions establish trust across an increasingly complex digital economy.
Institutional Adoption Brings New Security Requirements
The UAE has continued to develop its digital asset regulatory framework, attracting exchanges, infrastructure providers and other businesses seeking to operate in the region. As participation grows, independent reserve verification and ongoing security assessments are becoming increasingly relevant to institutional operations.
CertiK’s activities across Hub71 and Gate Dubai illustrate two areas of this demand: helping emerging businesses navigate security and compliance requirements, and providing independent verification services to established market participants.
The company’s next challenge will be translating these partnerships and its growing local presence into broader institutional engagement as digital asset businesses face increasingly complex security and regulatory requirements.
