CertiK Report: Digital Asset Security Gaps Persist for UAE Institutions

DUBAI, UAE, November 7, 2026 — According to research from CertiK, five incidents involving digital asset security occurred in 2026 that either started in the UAE or were linked to entities registered there. Four of those cases caused documented losses of roughly $8.02 million. For the fifth incident, the research did not provide a confirmed loss figure. The true count of incidents and overall losses could be considerably greater, owing to constraints in reporting and attribution.

The results underscore security and operational difficulties confronting the UAE’s rapidly expanding digital asset sector. As financial institutions and digital asset companies broaden their activities, securing regulatory clearance on its own does not remove risks tied to asset custody, smart contract flaws, or interconnected systems.

In this context, CertiK’s activities in the UAE include performing independent reserve verification for Gate Dubai and delivering security and compliance assistance to startups within Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 ecosystem. The company maintains engineering and business development staff based in Dubai.

In March 2026, CertiK carried out an independent Proof of Reserves (PoR) assessment for Gate Dubai, a VARA-licensed exchange. The review spanned ten digital assets across nine blockchain networks and confirmed that each asset met at least 100% reserve coverage as of December 31, 2025. The evaluation delivered independent, point-in-time proof of reserve backing, aiding transparency regarding customer funds.

In Abu Dhabi, CertiK acts as an official vendor for Hub71, the technology hub located in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Through this arrangement, qualified startups can obtain reduced-cost security services and complimentary CertiK Compliance to assist with licensing preparation and ongoing regulatory adherence.

At a media gathering hosted by CertiK titled “The Trillion-Dollar Trust Gap,” held alongside Dubai FinTech Summit 2026, CertiK Chief Business Officer Jason Jiang talked about why regulatory approval must be paired with strong security controls and continuous risk oversight.

“Financial institutions are making real progress in bringing digital assets into financial services, but regulatory approval is only the starting point,” said Jason Jiang. “Protecting customer assets and managing risks as operations scale requires continuous security and compliance. This is why CertiK is expanding beyond Web3 security to become the Trust Layer for Digital Value, helping institutions build trust across an increasingly complex digital economy.”