As the UAE and GCC continue to strengthen their position as global hubs for fintech, crypto, AI, and digital innovation, the demand for robust regulatory compliance and cybersecurity solutions has never been greater. At the forefront of this transformation is SecureVisa Group, founded by Mr. Amir A. Kolahzadeh.
SecureVisa Group specializes in navigating complex multi-regulator licensing frameworks across VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA (ADGM), GCGRA, and CBUAE, while integrating ITSEC-grade cybersecurity and audit-ready frameworks. The firm empowers high-growth industries—from fintech and crypto exchanges to AI platforms and fund managers—to scale confidently in one of the world’s most dynamic regulatory environments.
In this exclusive interview with Fintech News UAE, Mr. Amir shares insights on SecureVisa’s mission, the evolving compliance landscape, and how businesses can balance innovation with operational resilience in the region.
1. Founder’s Vision & Background
1.1. Mr. Amir, could you start by sharing your journey leading up to the founding of SecureVisa Group, and what inspired you to focus on multi-regulator licensing and compliance solutions in the UAE and GCC?
My journey started with cybersecurity leadership. I founded ITSEC in 2011, the first dedicated cybersecurity firm in the Middle East, and for over two decades, we’ve protected governments, regulators, and enterprises across the region. That experience gave me a front-row seat to a critical reality: every financial innovation is built on technology, and every technology requires both compliance and cybersecurity to survive.
When fintech, crypto, and AI began accelerating in the UAE and GCC, I saw the same fragmentation repeating—companies were running to one consultant for licensing, another for cybersecurity, and another for banking or operations. This siloed approach failed under regulatory pressure.
That was the inspiration behind SecureVisa Group (SVG): to build a single ecosystem where compliance, licensing, and ITSEC-grade cybersecurity sit under one roof. We bring all stakeholders into one room—founders, regulators, auditors, and technologists—so clients don’t waste time trying to bridge the gaps themselves.
In short, we don’t believe in fragmented consultancy. We believe in ecosystem execution, where regulatory trust, technological resilience, and operational scalability are delivered as one. That is why SVG and ITSEC work hand in hand—because fintech is not just finance, it is technology, and technology without cybersecurity and compliance is simply not viable.
1.2. What gaps in the regulatory and compliance landscape did you see that SecureVisa Group set out to address?
The gap was twofold:
- Fragmentation: Companies struggled to choose the right regulator. Many assumed all free zones were equal, or that a VARA approval could be substituted for an SCA license. That misunderstanding often caused costly delays and reputational risk.
- Superficial consulting: Too many advisors delivered paper compliance—documents that satisfied short-term requirements but collapsed under audit or due diligence.
I had already seen this play out in from 2011 and onward, when we started ITSEC, at a time when the UAE had no real alignment around cybersecurity. Firms were taking shortcuts, hiring fragmented vendors, and leaving themselves exposed. The same pattern later appeared in licensing and compliance as fintech, crypto, and AI companies rushed into the region.
SVG was designed to close these gaps. Instead of paper compliance, we deploy an ecosystem of solutions—VerifiX for KYC/KYB/KYT, ITSEC for audit-grade cybersecurity, and ComplianX for licensing and regulatory alignment. These platforms are built around UAE regulatory frameworks for fintech and digital assets, ensuring companies can streamline operations, reduce regulatory missteps, and scale with confidence.
2. Multi-Regulator Licensing Expertise
2.1. SecureVisa Group supports licensing across multiple regulators—VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA, GCGRA, and CBUAE. How do you help companies identify the right regulator for their business model?
We begin with a business-model diagnostic. Every engagement starts by mapping a client’s activities against the precise mandate of each regulator:
- VARA for virtual assets within Dubai,
- SCA for securities and commodities across the UAE,
- DFSA for DIFC-based firms under common law,
- FSRA for ADGM with a global investment and fund orientation,
- CBUAE for payments, stablecoins, and banking integration, and
- GCGRA for gaming and tokenized gaming assets.
What differentiates us is that this regulatory mapping is reinforced by the SVG ecosystem. Once we identify the right regulator, we align licensing with ComplianX for regulatory compliance automation, VerifiX for KYC/KYB/KYT requirements, and ITSEC for cybersecurity readiness.
This prevents regulatory mismatch and ensures companies are not only licensed correctly but are also audit-ready and operationally resilient from day one. Instead of clients bouncing between fragmented consultants, SVG delivers an integrated path—compliance, licensing, and security in one room, under one framework.
2.2. What are some common misconceptions startups or international companies have when approaching regulatory licensing in the UAE?
The most common misconceptions we encounter are:
- “Any free zone will do.” Many founders assume all free zones are equal, but regulators have sharply defined jurisdictions. A crypto business, for example, cannot operate legally under a generic free zone license outside of VARA.
- “Speed over substance.” Some entrepreneurs believe they can cut corners. The reality is that VARA, SCA, DFSA, and FSRA expect governance, capital adequacy, and technology frameworks that meet international standards.
- “Compliance is optional.” Companies often underestimate that the UAE’s regulatory environment is globally benchmarked. Non-compliance doesn’t just mean fines; it can lead to blacklisting and complete loss of market access.
At SecureVisa, we correct these misconceptions by backing advisory with execution. ComplianX ensures rulebook alignment, VerifiX delivers regulator-grade KYC/KYB/KYT, and ITSEC hardens the technology layer with audit-ready cybersecurity. Together, they close the gap between assumption and reality—ensuring clients don’t just get licensed, they stay licensed.
2.3. Can you share an example of how SecureVisa helped a fintech or crypto exchange navigate regulatory requirements and launch successfully?
One case that stands out involved a crypto exchange that had initially engaged another consultancy to apply for a VARA Broker-Dealer license. Unfortunately, the application was submitted without proper alignment to VARA’s rulebooks. When the regulator conducted its gap analysis, the client was hit with two severe compliance findings. There was no cybersecurity framework, no audit-ready controls, and the consultants involved could not even answer the regulator’s technical queries.
That’s when SecureVisa was brought in. We performed a full compliance and cybersecurity audit, rebuilt the application against VARA’s Broker-Dealer Services Rulebook, and deployed our ecosystem: ComplianX for regulatory alignment, VerifiX for KYC/KYB/KYT, and ITSEC to deliver audit-ready cybersecurity and technical documentation.
Within less than three months, we transformed a failing application into a turnkey, regulator-ready solution. The client not only cleared VARA’s compliance issues but ultimately secured their approval—something that looked impossible just weeks earlier.
This example underscores our difference: while others deliver paperwork, we deliver execution that withstands regulatory and technical scrutiny.
3. Cybersecurity & Audit-Ready Frameworks
3.1. Beyond licensing, SecureVisa emphasizes integrated cybersecurity and audit-ready frameworks. Why do you believe this integration is critical for companies scaling in the UAE and GCC?
14 years ago when I started ITSEC, we were the first to introduce regulator-grade cybersecurity into the Middle East. That foundation shaped how SecureVisa operates today. The reality is that most fintech and crypto startups come to us after being hit with severe regulatory or technical deficiencies—failed gap analyses, unanswered technical questions, or compliance findings that stop their license progress entirely.
The reason is simple: traditional consultancies sell licensing as paperwork. But fintech is not finance—it is technology, and without cybersecurity and compliance at the core, no license can survive regulatory scrutiny.
That’s why SVG and ITSEC built a single ecosystem. When a client engages us, we don’t just process an application; we deliver a turnkey licensing solution all the way through to cybersecurity, compliance audit-readiness, and certification. Our ecosystem—ComplianX for licensing alignment, VerifiX for KYC/KYB/KYT, and ITSEC for penetration testing and continuous monitoring—ensures that a client’s business is regulator-ready, investor-ready, and resilient from day one.
In the UAE and GCC, where regulators benchmark against global standards, this integration is not optional. It is the difference between businesses that stall at the compliance stage and those that scale with confidence.
Fintech is not finance—it is technology.
3.2. How does SecureVisa’s ITSEC-grade cybersecurity approach differ from traditional compliance consulting firms?
The difference is structural. Traditional compliance consultancies stop at paperwork—they draft policies, file applications, and hand clients a license submission. What they cannot do is stand in front of a regulator or a bank and answer the technical, cybersecurity, or operational questions that determine whether a business is truly viable.
At SecureVisa, we built the opposite model. Because we are powered by ITSEC, the region’s first dedicated cybersecurity firm since 2011, we embed regulator-grade security, audit-readiness, and technical assurance into every compliance engagement. That means when VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA, or CBUAE asks about penetration testing, data security, or KYC/KYB systems, we don’t scramble for outside vendors—we answer directly, with our own in-house expertise.
Our ecosystem—ComplianX for licensing alignment, VerifiX for onboarding and AML compliance, and ITSEC for cybersecurity—ensures clients receive a turnkey solution. We don’t just secure licenses; we secure the businesses behind them.
That is the critical distinction: while others deliver documentation, we deliver operational assurance that withstands both regulatory scrutiny and investor due diligence
3.3. Could you share insights on the most pressing cybersecurity threats fintechs and AI-driven platforms face in this region, and how ITSEC mitigates them?
One of the clearest examples is a regional crypto exchange that came to us at ITSEC after suffering an insider-driven security incident. Their systems had been deployed without proper controls: privileged access was unmanaged, APIs were exposed, and cloud services were misconfigured. Within weeks of launch, they faced an internal breach attempt, and the regulator flagged multiple deficiencies that could have shut them down.
This is not an isolated case. Across the GCC, we consistently see three pressing threats:
- Insider and third-party risks – Contractors and staff with excessive privileges, no data loss prevention, and weak monitoring.
- API and identity exploitation – Attackers abusing insecure onboarding, KYC flows, or poorly protected wallets.
- Operational fragility – Startups scaling fast but with weak resilience, meaning a single DDoS or cloud misstep can halt operations.
At ITSEC, we mitigate these risks by embedding security from the ground up. Our work spans penetration testing, VAPT, red teaming, insider-threat detection, privileged access management, secure SDLC, and 24/7 monitoring. In the exchange’s case, we hardened their IAM, locked down APIs, and deployed continuous monitoring that now prevents insider misuse before it escalates.
This is why ITSEC is trusted in the region: we don’t patch after the fact—we build audit-grade, regulator-ready cybersecurity environments that allow fintechs and AI platforms to operate with confidence.
4. Supporting High-Growth Industries
4.1. SecureVisa works with industries such as fintech, crypto, AI, and fund management. What are the biggest regulatory and compliance challenges these sectors face today in the GCC?
The challenges differ by sector, but the theme is the same: high-growth industries are running faster than their regulatory frameworks, and regulators in the UAE and GCC are raising the bar to global standards.
- Fintech: Payment firms face strict oversight from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The challenge is demonstrating capital adequacy, AML/CFT resilience, and consumer protection at a level comparable to Europe or Singapore. Many founders underestimate the banking scrutiny that comes with these licenses.
- Crypto & Digital Assets: Under VARA in Dubai and SCA at the federal level, the primary challenge is that entrepreneurs think in terms of “exchange first” or “token launch first.” In reality, regulators expect robust governance, detailed product roadmaps, cybersecurity integration, and financial crime controls before granting approval. The misconception that a free zone license alone is enough continues to be a fatal mistake.
- AI Platforms: The GCC is embracing AI, but regulators are focused on data governance, algorithmic transparency, and systemic risk. For AI-driven fintech or trading platforms, the biggest challenge is aligning innovation with responsible use of customer data and explainability in decision-making.
- Fund Management: Firms entering through DFSA in DIFC or FSRA in ADGM face deep scrutiny around UBO structures, audited financials, and operational risk management. The challenge is not licensing—it is demonstrating substance and governance to the level of a global financial center.
This is where SecureVisa makes the difference. We don’t treat compliance as box-ticking. We map every business model to the right regulator, align it with the correct rulebooks, and design an operating framework that regulators, banks, and investors can trust. Where others see fragmented requirements, we deliver an integrated compliance architecture that covers licensing, governance, AML/KYC, and audit-readiness.
In short, the biggest challenge is that founders often enter the market with a startup mindset, while regulators demand an institutional-grade operation from day one. Our role at SecureVisa is to bridge that gap—transforming ambition into compliance-ready, regulator-credible businesses.
4.2. How does SecureVisa ensure scalability and operational resilience for companies in these high-growth, highly regulated industries?
Licensing is the starting line, not the finish line. Too many firms believe that once they obtain a license, the market is open to them. In reality, regulators, banks, and investors continue testing the business every day—through audits, transaction monitoring, cyber controls, and governance reviews.
At SecureVisa, we designed our model to ensure clients are not just licensed, but built to scale. We do this through three pillars:
- Compliance Architecture – Using ComplianX, we operationalize regulatory requirements so that compliance isn’t a burden on growth. From AML transaction monitoring to governance workflows, the framework is automated, evidence-based, and audit-ready.
- Cybersecurity Integration – Through ITSEC, we embed resilience at the technical level: penetration testing, VAPT, red teaming, and continuous monitoring. This ensures that when a client scafles from hundreds to millions of users, their systems are secure by design, not patched after failure.
- Onboarding and Financial Crime Prevention – With VerifiX, we deliver regulator-grade KYC/KYB/KYT that scales in volume without compromising quality. This gives both regulators and banks confidence that the client can grow without introducing systemic risk.
Together, these pillars create an end-to-end operational backbone. A company that comes through SecureVisa is not only compliant on paper—it is regulator-credible, bankable, investor-ready, and technically resilient.
That is why we tell our clients: we don’t just get you a license, we engineer your business to survive and scale in one of the most demanding regulatory environments in the world.
4.3. With AI and blockchain gaining momentum, do you see regulators in the UAE adapting quickly enough to balance innovation with compliance?
The UAE has proven to be one of the fastest-moving regulatory environments globally. In less than two years, VARA in Dubai has issued full digital asset rulebooks, CBUAE has advanced stablecoin and payment regulations, and ADGM/FSRA has positioned itself as a global hub for digital investment structures. On the AI side, we are now seeing early-stage guidance around data governance, algorithmic accountability, and systemic risk.
That said, speed comes with complexity. Entrepreneurs often assume that “fast regulation” means “easy regulation.” In reality, UAE regulators are setting global benchmarks. A blockchain exchange or AI-driven trading platform must meet international-grade standards from day one: governance, cybersecurity, financial crime controls, and responsible AI practices. For example, VARA’s Broker-Dealer Services Rulebook (effective 2023) already sets standards equivalent to Europe’s MiCA, while DFSA’s Crypto Token Regime governs DIFC institutions.
This is where ITSEC & SecureVisa plays a critical role. We sit between innovators and regulators, helping founders translate their ideas into regulator-credible frameworks. Whether it’s aligning a blockchain business with the VARA Broker-Dealer Services Rulebook or helping an AI-driven fund platform prove explainability in its algorithms, our job is to ensure that innovation never outruns compliance.
The balance is already here: the regulators are adapting quickly, but they are doing so with rigor and depth. Companies that treat compliance as an afterthought will struggle; companies that build with compliance and cybersecurity integrated from the start will thrive. That is the difference between being speculative and being sustainable in this market.
5. SecureVisa’s Role in the Ecosystem
5.1. How does SecureVisa collaborate with regulators, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to stay ahead of evolving compliance frameworks?
From the beginning, we built SecureVisa Group to be more than a consultancy. We operate as an ecosystem partner to regulators, government agencies, and financial institutions. Our role is to close the gap between fast-moving innovation and the rigorous oversight demanded in the UAE and GCC.
We collaborate on three levels:
- Regulatory Engagement – We maintain active dialogue with regulators such as VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, and GCGRA. This allows us to interpret rulebook changes early, prepare clients ahead of deadlines, and in some cases provide feedback on the practical impact of new frameworks.
- Government & Ecosystem Alignment – We work directly with free zones, government initiatives, and financial institutions to ensure our clients are bankable and operationally recognized. This includes supporting sandbox programs, innovation hubs, and pilot frameworks that link government strategy with private-sector execution.
- Industry & Investor Networks – We engage with VCs, institutional investors, and technology partners to make sure our clients are not just compliant but credible in the eyes of the market. A license alone is not enough—businesses must demonstrate governance, resilience, and long-term viability to attract serious capital.
Because we integrate ITSEC’s cybersecurity, VerifiX’s KYC/KYB/KYT, and ComplianX’s compliance automation into every project, our conversations with regulators and stakeholders are not theoretical—they are technical, operational, and actionable.
That is why SecureVisa is trusted in this ecosystem: we don’t just watch regulation evolve—we help companies position themselves at the forefront of regulatory adoption in the UAE and GCC.
5.2. What differentiates SecureVisa from other compliance and consulting firms operating in the region?
The difference is structural. Most firms in this market are paper consultancies—they prepare documents, submit applications, and step back. That may secure a license in the short term, but it leaves the business exposed when regulators, banks, or investors demand evidence of cybersecurity, governance, and operational resilience.
SecureVisa Group is fundamentally different. We built an integrated ecosystem that combines:
- ComplianX for real-time licensing alignment and compliance automation,
- VerifiX for regulator-grade KYC/KYB/KYT and AML controls, and
- ITSEC for cybersecurity, penetration testing, VAPT, and audit-ready resilience.
This means we don’t just deliver a license—we deliver a turnkey business architecture that can withstand regulatory audits, banking due diligence, and investor scrutiny.
Another key differentiator is our multi-regulator expertise. We operate seamlessly across VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, and GCGRA, giving clients a strategic view of which regulator is best aligned with their business model. Others sell “one-size-fits-all” free zone packages; we engineer tailored regulatory strategies that fit both the business and the long-term growth plan.
Finally, credibility matters. Our work is grounded in over a decade of proven execution. ITSEC was founded in 2011 as the first cybersecurity firm in the Middle East, and that DNA of resilience and regulatory trust runs through everything we do at SecureVisa.
In short, we are not a consultancy—we are an ecosystem partner. We don’t just hand over paperwork; we stand beside our clients through licensing, audits, cybersecurity, and growth. That’s why founders, regulators, and investors trust us to deliver where others cannot.
5.3. Could you walk us through SecureVisa’s end-to-end engagement process—from advisory to licensing, compliance, and cybersecurity readiness?
Our engagement process is deliberately designed to remove fragmentation. Too often, companies in this region hire one advisor for licensing, another for compliance, and yet another for cybersecurity—only to discover that regulators and banks view them as disconnected. SecureVisa eliminates that risk by delivering a single, integrated process.
The journey typically follows four phases:
- Advisory & Regulator Selection
We start with a business model diagnostic. This means mapping the client’s activities against the mandates of VARA, SCA, DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE, or GCGRA, and recommending the regulator that best supports their goals. This prevents wasted time pursuing licenses that cannot scale or gain bank acceptance. - Licensing & Compliance Architecture
Once the regulatory path is chosen, we design the license submission package and compliance framework. Using ComplianX, we ensure that policies, governance structures, AML/CFT procedures, and financial models are aligned with the regulator’s expectations—not just at the point of application, but for ongoing audits. - Cybersecurity & Operational Readiness
In parallel, our ITSEC team embeds resilience: penetration testing, VAPT, red teaming, and secure infrastructure design. This means that when the regulator—or later, an investor or bank—asks for evidence of security controls, the client has audit-ready proof from day one. - Launch, Monitoring & Continuous Support
Once licensed, the company is onboarded with VerifiX for KYC/KYB/KYT, ongoing compliance monitoring via ComplianX, and ITSEC’s 24/7 cybersecurity oversight. We continue to work with clients through regulatory reviews, technology scaling, and investor due diligence.
This end-to-end process transforms licensing from a one-off hurdle into a sustainable compliance and resilience framework. By the time our clients go to market, they are not only licensed—they are regulator-credible, bankable, and investor-ready.
That is why we say: SecureVisa doesn’t just help you enter the market—we engineer the infrastructure for you to stay, scale, and succeed in one of the world’s most demanding regulatory environments.
6. Future of Regulation & Compliance
6.1. What trends do you foresee in UAE’s regulatory environment over the next 3–5 years, particularly with VARA, CBUAE, and ADGM leading digital finance regulation?
The UAE’s trajectory is clear: it is moving from being a progressive regulator to being a global standard-setter. Over the next 3–5 years, I see four major trends unfolding:
- VARA (Dubai) – VARA will expand beyond licensing exchanges and broker-dealers into tokenized assets, stablecoins, and complex DeFi models. The focus will be on market integrity, custody segregation, and investor protection. VARA is also expected to tighten operational resilience standards, including mandatory cybersecurity certifications and real-time reporting. I also predict that VARA will eventually evolve into a Federal Agency, extending its mandate beyond Dubai to the national level.
- CBUAE (Federal Level) – The Central Bank will lead on stablecoins, cross-border payments, and digital banking frameworks. Expect stricter AML/CFT obligations, enhanced transaction monitoring, and stronger banking integration requirements for fintech and payment companies. CBUAE is positioning itself to control systemic risk at the infrastructure level.
- ADGM (FSRA) – ADGM will continue to cement itself as a funding and institutional hub. We expect to see frameworks around digital securities, tokenized funds, and institutional-grade custody. ADGM is likely to set the bar for institutional adoption of blockchain in asset management, with detailed risk and governance obligations.
- DIFC (DFSA) – DIFC will grow in importance as the common-law financial center of the region. DFSA is already tightening requirements around fund management, digital securities, and cross-border structures, and we expect it to play a bigger role in setting global investor confidence standards. For international players, DIFC will remain the jurisdiction of choice when credibility with institutional investors is paramount.
Across all regulators, two cross-cutting themes are inevitable:
- Integration of AI Governance – As AI becomes core to fintech and trading, regulators will require explainability, data governance, and systemic risk controls.
- Cybersecurity as a Regulatory Benchmark – Security will not just be a best practice—it will be a licensing requirement. Regulators will demand audit-grade cybersecurity evidence as part of ongoing supervision.
For SecureVisa Group, this means our ecosystem is already aligned with where regulation is heading. ComplianX evolves with each rulebook update, VerifiX scales with financial crime prevention requirements, and ITSEC provides the cybersecurity backbone regulators are moving toward making mandatory.
In short, the UAE is not just adapting—it is leading. The businesses that thrive here will be those that treat compliance and security as strategic infrastructure, not as afterthoughts. SecureVisa will continue to ensure our clients are among them.
6.2. How do you see SecureVisa Group evolving in line with these regulatory trends? Are there new services or markets you are targeting?
We built SecureVisa Group to move in lockstep with regulation, not behind it. Over the next three to five years, our evolution will reflect the same trajectory as the UAE’s regulators:
- Deeper Multi-Regulator Coverage – As VARA expands its scope and, in time, moves toward a federal mandate, we will scale our digital assets practice accordingly. At the same time, we are strengthening our DIFC/DFSA capabilities for institutional fund managers and cross-border financial services, and expanding our ADGM/FSRA practice for tokenized funds and digital securities. CBUAE oversight of stablecoins and payments will also demand stronger operational resilience, and we are already building frameworks to anticipate those requirements.
- Expansion into Tokenization and AI Governance – We see tokenization of real estate, funds, and RWAs becoming a dominant growth driver. SVG is actively developing full-stack tokenization licensing and compliance modules. In parallel, as regulators introduce AI governance obligations, we are building advisory and control frameworks to help AI-driven fintechs prove algorithmic transparency and data governance from day one. To lead this effort, we have become the first firm in the region to appoint a Chief Tokenization Officer, underscoring our commitment to shaping tokenization as a regulated, institution-grade market.
- Technology-Enabled Compliance at Scale – Our ecosystem will deepen its integration: ComplianX for automated regulatory alignment, VerifiX for end-to-end AML/KYC/KYB, and ITSEC for continuous cybersecurity assurance. Together, these tools will evolve into a compliance-as-infrastructure model, giving clients scalable regulatory and security coverage across multiple jurisdictions.
- Regional and Global Expansion – Beyond the UAE, we are seeing demand across the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and we are exploring partnerships to extend our model into Europe and Asia for clients looking to bridge into or out of the UAE.
In short, SecureVisa will evolve from being the UAE’s leading multi-regulator licensing firm into a regional compliance and cybersecurity powerhouse. Our vision is to make sure that when a regulator raises the bar—whether VARA, DFSA, FSRA, or CBUAE—our clients are already there, prepared, and ahead of the curve.
7. Advice for Startups & Enterprises
7.1. What advice would you give to fintech founders, crypto entrepreneurs, or AI innovators considering expansion into the UAE and GCC?
My advice is simple: treat this region as institutional from day one. The UAE and GCC are not markets where you can “test and learn” with a light approach. Regulators here—whether VARA, CBUAE, DFSA, or FSRA—expect you to operate at global standards from the very beginning.
There are three non-negotiables:
- Choose the Right Regulator, Not the Cheapest License
Too many founders waste time chasing low-cost free zone setups that cannot scale or gain bank access. In this market, regulator credibility is everything. Start with the right jurisdiction and the right license—otherwise, you’ll end up rebuilding from scratch. - Integrate Compliance and Cybersecurity Early
Don’t make compliance or security an afterthought. From my work through ITSEC, I have seen firsthand how startups fail when they assume that a late-stage penetration test will save them. It doesn’t. What works is security architecture built into the business model from day one—privileged access controls, secure coding practices, data governance, and continuous monitoring. At SecureVisa, we integrate this foundation alongside compliance through ComplianX, VerifiX, and ITSEC, so that by the time you meet a regulator, bank, or investor, your business is already audit-ready and resilient. - Think Like an Institution, Even as a Startup
Whether you are launching a crypto exchange, AI-driven trading platform, or fintech payments app, the expectation is institutional governance, cybersecurity, and AML controls. The winners in this market will be those who scale with credibility—not those who try to cut corners.
The truth is, fintech is not finance—it is technology operating in a financial system. That means regulators, banks, and investors will judge you on both your innovation and your resilience.
So my advice is clear: come prepared, come credible, and come with compliance and security as part of your DNA. If you do that, the UAE and GCC are not just markets—they are launchpads to global growth.
7.2. In your view, what are the key “must-have” steps companies should prioritize when preparing for regulatory approval and scaling sustainably in this region?
There is a clear sequence that every fintech, crypto, AI, or fund management company must follow in the UAE and GCC if they want to be regulator-ready and scalable:
- Define the Right Regulatory Pathway
Map your business model against the mandates of VARA, CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA, SCA, and GCGRA. Choosing the wrong regulator or license type is the single biggest cause of wasted time and failed applications. - Build Security Architecture from Day One
At ITSEC, we have seen too many startups collapse because they thought a late penetration test would satisfy regulators. It doesn’t. Regulators, banks, and investors expect full-stack security architecture—privileged access management, data protection, secure development practices, and continuous monitoring—baked into the operating model. - Operationalize Compliance
Compliance isn’t paperwork; it’s infrastructure. Using ComplianX, we automate governance, AML/CFT monitoring, and reporting so that compliance is ongoing and auditable, not reactive. This ensures companies can withstand regulatory reviews and investor due diligence without scrambling. - Deploy Regulator-Grade Onboarding & AML Controls
With VerifiX, businesses implement KYC/KYB/KYT processes that scale without sacrificing quality. This is critical, because onboarding and AML failures are among the top reasons regulators reject or penalize new entrants. - Substance and Governance
Regulators here expect real operations, not paper shells. That means a clear ownership structure, UBO transparency, hiring of key control functions (MLRO, CTO, CISO, and in our case even a Chief Tokenization Officer), and a board or advisory structure that demonstrates oversight. - Bankability & Investor Credibility
Regulatory approval is only the first gate. Banks and investors will put your business under even more scrutiny. If your licensing, compliance, and cybersecurity are not aligned, you will fail to open accounts, attract capital, or scale globally.
At SecureVisa Group, we engineer all of these steps into a single, integrated process. That way, by the time a client is ready to launch, they are not only licensed—they are bank-ready, regulator-credible, cyber-secure, and built for sustainable growth.
8. Closing Thoughts
8.1. Looking back on SecureVisa’s journey so far, what achievement are you most proud of?
What I am most proud of is that we have changed the conversation around compliance and cybersecurity in the UAE and GCC. Before SecureVisa, most firms treated licensing as paperwork and security as an afterthought. That approach failed founders, left regulators frustrated, and created systemic risks in the market.
Our proudest achievement has been proving that an integrated ecosystem model works in practice. We have taken clients who were on the verge of rejection—sometimes after other consultants had already submitted flawed applications—and turned them into audit-ready, regulator-approved, and bankable businesses in record time.
One example that stands out is a regional crypto exchange that came to us after their application was nearly derailed. They had no cybersecurity framework, no compliance infrastructure, and had been flagged twice by VARA for serious gaps. Within three months, by deploying ITSEC for security architecture, VerifiX for AML/KYC, and ComplianX for compliance automation, we transformed their operation into a regulator-credible business that secured approval and attracted investors.
That success wasn’t about a single license—it was about demonstrating that the SecureVisa model can rescue, build, and scale companies to institutional standards. It validated what we have believed since day one: in this region, you cannot separate licensing, compliance, and cybersecurity—they must operate as one.
That, to me, is our greatest achievement: building trust with regulators, banks, investors, and entrepreneurs by proving that this ecosystem model is not theoretical—it delivers results.
20. Finally, what’s your vision for ITEC and SecureVisa Group in shaping the future of regulated innovation in the UAE and GCC?
My vision is for ITSEC and SecureVisa Group to stand as the only complete ecosystem for regulated fintech and digital innovation in the region—covering everything from licensing to post-licensing regulatory services, cybersecurity, AML/KYC, and operational resilience.
We are already moving in this direction by embedding AI into our products and services. With VerifiX, AI will enhance KYC/KYB/KYT by making onboarding smarter, faster, and fraud-resistant. Within ITSEC, AI-driven monitoring will reshape how we deliver cybersecurity, transaction screening, and AML controls. And with ComplianX, AI will streamline compliance so businesses stay continuously aligned with evolving rulebooks, instead of reacting under pressure.
The bigger vision is clear: we don’t want companies to see compliance and security as a mandatory obligation that slows them down—we want them to see it as a strategic advantage. Our ecosystem makes regulation and cybersecurity a proactive shield, keeping platforms safe, resilient, and credible in the eyes of regulators, banks, and investors.
In the next three to five years, ITSEC and SecureVisa will be recognized as the only end-to-end infrastructure provider for the regulated fintech industry in the UAE and GCC. From the moment a founder decides to enter this market, through licensing, launch, and post-license supervision, our ecosystem will ensure they are secure by design, compliant by architecture, and trusted by default.
That is how we will shape the future of regulated innovation here: by making compliance and security the foundation of growth, not a checkbox at the end.
Contact SecureVisa Group
For more information about SecureVisa Group: Please visit at www.securevisanow.com and www.itsecnow.com
