Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis (RAK DAO) has introduced the UAE’s first Digital Creator Licence, designed uniquely for influencers, streamers, and educators. This licence offers a comprehensive business setup that includes a licence, visa, and a bank account, all specifically tailored to the needs of digital content creators, through a partnership with the Web3-based platform Lyvely.
Licence holders gain an official business setup, benefiting from zero corporate and personal income tax, 100 per cent foreign ownership, and access to RAK DAO’s ecosystem of partnerships, networking, and support services.
Paul Dawalibi, CEO of RAK DAO, stated that the license addresses one of the creators’ biggest barriers to credibility in the eyes of banks, brands, and investors. “We wanted to give them a legal wrapper so they can be taken seriously. This is about turning what many see as a side hustle into a recognised, sophisticated business,” he said.
RAK DAO is a free zone in the UAE dedicated to supporting companies in the digital and virtual asset space. It is designed to foster innovation in sectors such as blockchain, Web3, NFTs, and DAOs, offering a supportive legal framework, business licensing, and access to resources for companies in these industries.
Unlike other free zone licenses, the Digital Creator License is built for digital content creation. Creators on Lyvely’s platform get full business ownership, legal independence, and access to benefits usually reserved for standard RAK DAO businesses. The licence addresses common challenges like banking and partnerships, and opens up new ways to earn money that generic licences do not offer.
The licence enables creators to diversify their income, secure brand deals, launch services, and control their earnings and intellectual property as a legitimate business.
The application is fast and simple: creators sign up on Lyvely, then complete a streamlined setup with RAK DAO, often becoming licensed and banked within days.
Applicants worldwide receive the same tax and ownership benefits as UAE-based businesses, along with the added convenience of operating in free zones.
“This license expands the universe of possibilities for creators,” Dawalibi added. “They can operate globally, open new revenue streams, and take control of their professional futures, all with the credibility and advantages that come from being a legitimate business.”
Ras Al Khaimah offers a cost of living that’s nearly half that of Dubai, plus tax-free advantages. As Dawalibi explains, while Dubai shares some of these benefits, its high living costs typically mean that only top executives relocate there, while most developers and workers remain in different countries.
In contrast, Dawalibi highlights that RAK’s affordability makes it practical for companies to bring entire teams, including developers, together in one place, rather than keeping them spread out internationally due to high costs.
