DIFC Courts Open Door to Digital Custody and Blockchain Intelligence for Complex Cases

The DIFC Courts have announced the introduction of specialized third-party digital services designed to support complex legal disputes involving digital assets, which is a major expansion of the court’s technological capabilities under its newly launched Growth Strategy for 2026–2030.

Under the initiative, court users may now apply (subject to demonstrated necessity) to access secure digital-asset custody and blockchain intelligence services provided by approved external specialists.

The move reflects the DIFC Courts’ continued efforts to adapt judicial processes to the realities of an increasingly digital global economy.

The new services will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will join a growing suite of digital-economy tools currently under review by Dubai’s common law jurisdiction. The goal, according to the DIFC Courts, is to enhance procedural integrity, transparency, and enforceability in disputes involving cryptocurrencies, tokenised assets, and other emerging financial instruments.

As part of the rollout, Zodia Custody has been selected to provide neutral and secure custody of disputed digital assets during legal proceedings. Backed by major financial institutions including Standard Chartered and Emirates NBD, Zodia Custody operates in the UAE under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, following its acquisition of Tungsten earlier this year.

In parallel, Crystal Intelligence will offer blockchain analytics and investigative support, including transaction tracing, monitoring, and compliance analysis. The platform’s capabilities are expected to assist courts in managing evidence, overseeing risk, and supporting enforcement in technically complex digital-asset cases.

H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of the DIFC Courts, said the initiative builds on years of preparation to address the growing complexity of technology-driven disputes. He noted that permitting the use of specialised third-party providers enables the court to safeguard assets, verify data, and deliver outcomes aligned with international best practices. The development, he added, strengthens the court’s ability to resolve digital-asset cases efficiently and securely while maintaining the confidence expected of a world-class judicial institution.

The services are designed to support multiple stages of litigation, from asset preservation to evidence-led investigation, and will also enhance oversight of the DIFC Courts’ Digital Assets Wills service. Over the coming years, the courts plan to continue evaluating additional providers through a structured review process to ensure neutrality, security, and institutional credibility.

Through Zodia Custody’s involvement, court users will benefit from safeguards such as the prevention of unauthorised asset movement during litigation, strengthened enforceability of judgments, and greater public confidence in the adjudicatory framework.

Zane Suren, Managing Director for Commercial, Middle East and Africa at Zodia Custody, said the integration of specialised digital custody services reflects the growing role of digital assets in legal disputes. He added that the engagement reinforces Zodia Custody’s commitment to expanding its presence in the UAE and supporting institutional-grade adoption of digital-asset infrastructure.

Crystal Intelligence’s role will extend beyond individual cases, with the company also providing specialised training and certification to DIFC Courts staff. Its tools include multi-hop transaction tracing, high-risk wallet screening, and visualisation of fund flows across public blockchains.

Navin Gupta, CEO of Crystal Intelligence, described the appointment as a milestone for the use of blockchain intelligence in judicial proceedings.

He said the engagement demonstrates the platform’s readiness for court-grade case management and its commitment to supporting fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the resolution of digital-asset disputes.