RAK Bank customers face new transaction limits on buying crypto

UAE RAK Bank sent an important update to its customers, noting that the bank had introduced a dedicated transaction limit on how much clients can use from their accounts to purchase crypto.

According to the bank, this will take effect in Q2 of 2026, noting that the latest it would become effective would be in June 2026. As per the letter, this is aimed to help clients trade confidently while keeping their investments safe and manageable.

What are the new RAK Bank crypto transaction limits

RAK has placed limits based on customer segmentation, specifying limits for crypto investment as well as daily crypto trading.

For pure retail customers, the limit is now set at 240,000 AED, equivalent to $65,000. For RAK Bank Select customers, the limit is 576,000 AED, equivalent to $157,000, and finally for RAK Bank elite customers, it is 6 million AED, equivalent to $1.6 million.

RAK Bank further explains that customers exceed their crypto trading limit when their total investment amount (Total amount spent on buys minus total proceeds received from sells) is greater than their assigned segment limit.

RAK Bank also noted that customers could ask to increase their limits, which will have to be approved by the bank and may require clients to provide supporting documents like proof of funds.

While it would seem RAK Bank is the only bank that has taken these measures, as sources for Lara on the Block have noted that Zand Bank has not set limits to crypto transactions as of yet. This action can be taken by banks offering crypto trading services.

The agreements signed by clients of RAK Bank and even Liv Bank a subsidiary of Emirates NBD does authorize the banks to make limits.

In the Liv Bank crypto transaction document, it notes on page 18 that Liv Bank, part of Emirates Bank, can impose restrictions on crypto trades, as well as which crypto assets can be traded, including how many trades can be made, as well as how many virtual assets can be held at one time in a client’s wallet.

Liv Bank was also one of the first banks in the UAE to offer crypto trading services with AquaNow.

In 2025, RAK Bank became the first bank to launch its crypto brokerage service through its mobile application. RAK Bank partnered with BitPanda to offer this service through the mobile banking application.

Additionally, RAK Bank has also put limits on internal transfers within the UAE as well as external transfers outside of the UAE. The cap is set at $500,000 for both. While noting that access to crypto trading services remains open.

Earlier this week, S&P Global Ratings noted that Gulf banks could face domestic deposit outflows of $307 billion if the Middle East conflict deepens. The report said it had seen no evidence of ‌major outflows of foreign or local funding from banks in the Gulf, which have proved resilient, but that a prolonged conflict could trigger a flight to quality between banks within the same systems, as well as broader external and local funding exits, the ratings agency added.

Banks currently hold around $312 billion in ‌cash or ⁠at central banks to absorb such outflows, with an additional buffer of roughly $630 billion available after liquidating investment portfolios at a 20% haircut, S&P added.

Later in the same week, the Central Bank of UAE announced measures to support UAE banks’ liquidity with a package that includes enhanced access to reserve balances of up to 30%.

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