Dubai Launches Real Estate Token Resale Market, Ushering in a New Era for Property Investment
Dubai is set to redefine property investment with the launch of a regulated secondary market for tokenized real estate assets on February 20, 2026. Announced by the Dubai Land Department (DLD), this marks the start of Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenization Project, transitioning from a successful pilot to a fully functional marketplace where investors can buy and sell fractional property shares.
What is Real Estate Tokenization?
Tokenization converts a physical property into digital shares (tokens) on a blockchain. Each token represents a fractional ownership stake in the asset, such as an apartment or villa. This allows investors to participate in the high-value Dubai property market with significantly lower capital than required for full ownership.
The Game-Changer: A Regulated Secondary Market
The key advancement of Phase II is the introduction of a secondary resale market. Previously, during the 2025 pilot, investors could purchase tokens but could not trade them. Starting February 20, owners can resell their tokenized shares on approved platforms, providing:
Enhanced Liquidity: Exit investments without waiting for the entire property to be sold.
Lower Barriers to Entry: Invest with smaller amounts, making real estate accessible to a broader audience.
Portfolio Diversification: Spread investment across multiple tokenized properties to mitigate risk.
Market Flexibility: React dynamically to personal financial needs or market opportunities.
The DLD estimates 7.8 million property tokens will become tradable, indicating the substantial scale of this initiative.
Regulated and Secure Framework
This is not an unregulated cryptocurrency venture. The secondary market operates under the strict oversight of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and is integrated into Dubai’s official property registry. All transactions will occur on approved, transparent platforms, ensuring investor protection, legal clarity, and market integrity.
Strategic Alignment and Future Potential
This innovation aligns with Dubai’s Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033 and broader economic visions. It follows the successful pilot phase, where one project alone saw over AED 9 million in transactions. Industry experts project that tokenized real estate could represent 7% of Dubai’s market (approx. AED 60 billion) by 2033.
Who Benefits?
Retail Investors & Residents: Gain affordable entry into the Dubai property market.
Expatriates & International Investors: Access a new, liquid asset class.
The Broader Market: Increased liquidity and innovation strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for real estate and financial technology.
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The Road Ahead
Dubai’s launch of a token resale market is a landmark step in the global tokenization of real-world assets. By blending blockchain technology with robust regulation, Dubai is democratizing property investment, offering unprecedented flexibility, accessibility, and liquidity. This move solidifies the emirate’s reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the future of finance and real estate.
