Digital assets expose a gap between legal ownership and the practical ability to preserve and recover property. This chapter examines how DIFC has sought to close that gap over the past year. It analyses the introduction of custody and blockchain intelligence services, the role of the Digital Economy Court, and reforms to the regulation of crypto tokens. Drawing on recent decisions and comparisons with England, Singapore and the United States, it assesses the consequences for businesses and investors. It argues that the significance of these developments lies in connecting digital property rights with the procedures, technical capabilities and intermediary obligations needed to enforce them. Their success will depend on rigorous scrutiny of evidence, clear allocation of responsibility and remedies that deliver effective recovery.

Authors: Prateek Bagaria, Natasha Kavalakkat and Sanchit Suri

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