Matthew White

Matthew White is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which is the world's first independent regulator dedicated to virtual assets.12 Here are some key details about his background and role:

Professional Experience

Matthew White has over 20 years of experience in the technology and finance sectors. Before joining VARA, he held several leadership positions at PwC:

• Partner and Cybersecurity & Digital Trust Leader for PwC in the Middle East
• Partner and Digital Trust Leader at PwC in Dubai
• Director of Digital Trust at PwC in Dubai
• Senior Manager of IT Risk Assurance at PwC in Birmingham, UK2

Role at VARA

As CEO of VARA, White is responsible for overseeing the regulation of virtual assets in Dubai. Under his leadership, VARA has developed a principle-based, risk-proportionate, and technology-neutral regulatory framework for the crypto industry.1 Some key aspects of his work include:

• Implementing flexible and adaptable regulations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
• Focusing on activity-based regulation rather than specific technologies
• Collaborating with the crypto community and international regulators
• Developing initiatives to reduce compliance costs for smaller firms
• Addressing the talent gap in crypto compliance1

Education and Certifications

Matthew White has a strong educational background and numerous certifications in technology and finance:

• MEng in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bath
• Completed programs at MIT Sloan School of Management and Oxford Saïd Business School
• Chartered Accountant (CA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
• Holds certifications in information privacy, blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and metaverse technologies2

Vision and Approach

White emphasizes VARA's commitment to creating a robust yet flexible regulatory environment for virtual assets. He believes in balancing innovation with consumer protection and aligning with international standards while addressing the specific needs of Dubai's virtual asset market.13