Dubai has announced the launch of 'Prypco Mint', the first tokenised real estate investment platform in the Middle East, as part of its efforts to broaden property ownership and attract investment into the emirate's real estate sector.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), allows individuals to invest in real estate starting from as little as Dh2,000, with current access limited to UAE residents possessing a valid Emirates ID.

Implemented in collaboration with Prypco and Ctrl Alt, the project is backed by several regulatory authorities including the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and the Central Bank of the UAE.

Zand Digital Bank has been designated as the banking partner during the pilot phase.

Investor funds are managed within regulated accounts under the oversight of DLD, VARA, and the Central Bank.

These funds are held in a dedicated Client Money Account (CMA) structure, guaranteeing that funds are only released once transactions are verified and completed.

This framework is designed to protect investor interests and ensure transaction integrity.

The DLD has stated that property listings on the platform will undergo a regulatory evaluation to ensure fairness in pricing.

Initially, the pilot includes two licensed firms—Prypco and Ctrl Alt—with intentions to incorporate additional licensed entities in subsequent phases.

Investors can expect to earn returns from rental income as well as potential property value appreciation while maintaining a legally registered share of ownership, monitored by the DLD.

Looking ahead, the DLD anticipates that tokenised real estate could account for up to 7% of Dubai's property market by the year 2033, approximating a value of Dh60 billion.

The tokenisation project aligns with Dubai's broader objectives of promoting innovation in real estate investment and increasing awareness of virtual asset services, drawing international virtual asset companies to establish operations in the city.

By March, Dubai had already commenced the first phase of this project, aiming to facilitate shared ownership amongst multiple investors through digital tokens, thus simplifying the investment process.

Real estate tokenisation utilizes blockchain technology to convert physical properties into digital tokens that represent fractional shares of ownership.

This system enables individuals to invest in real estate within their financial means, effectively allowing smaller investors and first-time buyers to participate in the property market without the need to purchase entire properties.

Unlike traditional crowdfunding models, tokenisation offers a more regulated and transparent investment pathway.

The Prypco Mint platform operates exclusively with UAE Dirham transactions during this trial period—eliminating the need for cryptocurrency for investments.

Prospective investors can browse available properties, confirm their ownership through a quick KYC (Know Your Customer) process, and decide their investment amounts.

As of the beginning of 2025, Dubai has also seen significant construction activity in real estate, with 173 new projects initiated at a construction cost of Dh46.2 billion.

The diversity of these projects reflects a strong demand from both local and international investors and encompasses a range of residential and commercial developments aimed at meeting various market needs.

The distribution of construction contracts shows that the area of Mohammed Bin Rashid Gardens has recorded the highest value among new projects, with ongoing developments worth Dh4 billion.

This is followed by the Airport City area and Jebel Ali Palm, which have also attracted substantial investment.

Projects such as 'Eden Hills' and 'The Oasis – Address Villas' are among the most notable, with costs of Dh3.2 billion and Dh2.8 billion respectively.

These developments are positioned in prime areas that exhibit strong demand trends and robust infrastructure support, underscoring Dubai's ambitious real estate growth aspirations.