Dubai is taking a new step in how people can invest in property, and it doesn’t require buying an entire apartment or villa.

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has launched Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, which allows property tokens to be resold in a controlled secondary market starting February 20. In simple terms, this means Dubai is testing how digital ownership shares in real estate can be bought and sold under official regulation.

What is “real estate tokenisation”?

Think of a property as a pizza. Instead of one person buying the whole pizza, tokenisation allows it to be cut into many digital slices. Each slice, called a token, represents a small ownership share in that property.

These tokens are recorded digitally and linked to official property records. Owners of tokens may benefit from price changes or rental income, depending on how the product is structured.

What’s new in Phase II?

Earlier this year, Dubai ran a pilot phase to test whether property tokenisation could work legally and technically.

Phase II is different because:

• Tokens can now be resold in a secondary market
• Real trading activity is being tested
• Regulators are watching closely to ensure fairness and safety

About 7.8 million tokens will be available in this phase, but only through approved platforms and under strict rules.

Why is Dubai doing this?

The goal is to:

• Make property investment more accessible
• Attract new types of investors
• Improve transparency and efficiency
• Test innovation without risking the wider market

Dubai wants to modernise real estate — but in a careful, regulated way.

Is this crypto or risky trading?

Not in the usual sense.

While tokens are digital, this project:

• Is overseen by the Dubai Land Department
• Is regulated with support from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
• Operates within existing property laws

This is not an open crypto marketplace. It’s a controlled government-backed test.

Can anyone invest right now?

Not everyone, and that’s intentional.

This phase is limited and focused on testing. Authorities are collecting data on:

• Pricing
• Demand
• Liquidity
• Investor behaviour

Future expansion will depend on how well this phase performs.

What should first-time investors keep in mind?

If you’re curious but new to property investing:

• This is not a get-rich-quick scheme
• It’s a long-term experiment
• Rules may evolve as regulators learn from real use

Dubai has been clear: expansion will be based on data, not hype.

Why this matters long-term

If successful, tokenisation could:

• Lower entry barriers to property investment
• Allow people to invest smaller amounts
• Increase market transparency
• Strengthen Dubai’s position as a global real estate hub

For now, it’s best seen as a carefully supervised trial, not a finished product.

Life in Jumeirah Lakes Towers is set to get a major upgrade. DMCC, in partnership with Dubai-based developer Sweid & Sweid, has unveiled BAY360, a new mixed-use lifestyle destination that promises to make daily life in JLT easier, greener and more connected.

Planned as a community-first hub rather than a traditional retail development, BAY360 is all about convenience at your doorstep. Think morning grocery runs, casual coffee by the lake, wellness appointments, family-friendly spaces and evening padel matches, all within walking distance.

Set along Lake D, the development will retain most of the existing waterfront, ensuring the area’s open, lakeside feel remains intact. The design focuses on pedestrian-friendly spaces, encouraging residents to stroll, linger and socialise, while seamlessly blending into the existing neighbourhood.

At the heart of BAY360 will be a 22,000-square-foot Spinneys supermarket, offering a modern, premium grocery experience for JLT residents. Surrounding it will be a curated mix of cafés and restaurants, including lake-facing dining spots with outdoor terraces, ideal for relaxed breakfasts, sunset dinners or casual meet-ups.

The lifestyle offering goes beyond food. BAY360 will also include medical facilities, wellness and lifestyle retail, rooftop padel courts, and outdoor family spaces, all designed to support day-to-day living rather than just weekend visits. An underground car park with around 300 spaces will help keep the area accessible without cluttering the streets.

The project also forms part of a wider refresh of the JLT public realm. DMCC and Sweid & Sweid will upgrade the areas around Lake D, introducing more greenery, seating and walkways, and creating a clearer pedestrian route connecting the metro station to JLT Park. The goal is simple: make moving around JLT smoother, safer and more enjoyable.

With completion expected by the end of 2027, BAY360 aims to become a natural extension of daily life in JLT, a place where errands, exercise, dining and downtime all come together in one thoughtfully designed space.

For residents, it’s less about a new development and more about a better way to live in one of Dubai’s most established neighbourhoods.

Ajman has announced the establishment of a new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre, aimed at streamlining landlord-tenant disputes and strengthening stability in the emirate’s real estate sector.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026, formally creating the centre and replacing the existing rental disputes committee.

Clearer, Faster Rental Dispute Resolution

The new law introduces transparent and clearly defined mechanisms for reviewing and adjudicating rental disputes, with the objective of:

• Protecting the rights of landlords and tenants
• Enhancing confidence in Ajman’s property market
• Supporting a stable and attractive investment environment

Jurisdiction and Scope

The specialised centre will have authority over all rental-related disputes between landlords and tenants, including:

• Residential and commercial properties
• Properties located within free zones

Cases will be handled using procedures aligned with recognised legal and judicial standards, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Boosting Market Stability

Officials said the new centre is designed to:

• Speed up dispute resolution
• Reduce litigation timelines
• Ensure swift and effective justice

The move is expected to contribute to social and economic stability in Ajman’s leasing and real estate sector, while reinforcing investor confidence.