The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts has announced it will permit specialized third-party services for complex cases, including blockchain intelligence capabilities, as part of initiatives under the newly launched DIFC Courts Growth Strategy (2026–2030).
These emerging technology services will be considered for cases that provide sufficient proof of necessity and join a growing set of digital economy-related services under review by Dubai’s common law jurisdiction. Crystal Intelligence will offer on-demand tracing, monitoring, and investigative support to aid case management, compliance, and enforcement across complex digital asset matters.
The introduction of third-party specialized services marks a further evolution of the DIFC Courts’ mission to deliver justice that is both principled and practical. By offering optional advanced analytics for specific and relevant claims, the DIFC Courts aims to demonstrate that proceedings maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and technological rigour.
Supporting complex digital asset cases
The DIFC Courts serves as Dubai’s independent common law jurisdiction and handles disputes involving some of the region’s most sophisticated financial matters. Under the newly launched DIFC Courts Growth Strategy (2026–2030), the court is reviewing specialized services that can enhance integrity and enforceability in digital economy cases.
Crystal’s blockchain intelligence platform will support several critical functions. The platform enables investigators to trace assets across multiple blockchains, screen wallets against sanctions lists and high-risk entities, monitor transactions in real time, and visualize complex fund flows with clear evidence trails.
These capabilities address specific challenges that arise in digital asset litigation. When assets move quickly across chains or through multiple intermediaries, courts need clear evidence of ownership and transaction history. Traditional investigative methods often fall short when dealing with peer-to-peer transfers and cross-chain movements.
Meeting court standards for evidence and compliance
The DIFC Courts’ structured evaluation process assesses potential providers to ensure they meet rigorous standards for neutrality, security, and institutional credibility. Within the coming years, the court will continue evaluating multiple third-party providers with a view to ensuring selected services align with the standards expected of the courts.
Crystal Intelligence’s blockchain analytics platform provides capabilities that meet these requirements. The platform delivers audit-ready reports, maintains complete evidence chains, and supports compliance requirements that align with international best practice.
The service will be applied on a case-by-case basis when court users demonstrate sufficient proof of necessity. This approach ensures that specialized capabilities are available for matters that require them while maintaining flexibility in how cases are managed.
Expanding capabilities for digital asset adjudication
H.E. Justice Omar Al Mheiri, Director of DIFC Courts, emphasized the court’s commitment to evolving with technological change. “By reviewing and permitting the use of third-party providers for niche dispute requirements, we are further enabling the safeguarding of assets, data verification, and supporting court users with a level of assurance aligned with international best practice.”
The announcement coincides with the court’s broader efforts to handle digital economy disputes. DIFC Courts recently launched a Digital Assets Wills service, which allows individuals to include cryptocurrency and other digital assets in estate planning. Crystal’s platform will support oversight of this service in addition to general dispute resolution.
The engagement also includes specialized training and certification for DIFC Courts staff. This knowledge transfer ensures that court personnel understand blockchain technology fundamentals and can effectively evaluate evidence in digital asset cases.
What this means for digital asset dispute resolution
As jurisdictions worldwide grapple with how to handle cryptocurrency disputes, the DIFC Courts’ approach offers a model for integrating specialized expertise into judicial processes. By permitting access to third-party blockchain analytics capabilities, the framework allows courts to leverage best-in-class tools when cases require it.
For parties involved in digital asset disputes, this development means access to investigation and monitoring capabilities that can strengthen cases and support enforcement. Whether tracing stolen funds, verifying ownership claims, or monitoring compliance with court orders, having court-permitted analytical tools available creates clearer pathways to resolution.
The DIFC Courts’ decision to permit blockchain intelligence services reflects growing recognition across legal systems that these capabilities have matured into reliable tools for institutional use. As more legal disputes involve digital assets, courts need frameworks that can provide the technical depth and evidentiary standards that judicial proceedings demand.
Navin Gupta, CEO of Crystal Intelligence, noted the significance of this development: “Being selected as a service provider to the DIFC Courts marks a defining moment for Crystal Intelligence and blockchain intelligence in judicial proceedings. This engagement demonstrates that Crystal Intelligence has achieved the institutional credibility required for court-grade case management, compliance, and enforcement.”
Looking ahead, the DIFC Courts will continue evaluating third-party providers to ensure selected services meet the standards of neutrality, security, and institutional credibility expected of the court. This structured approach supports the court’s mission to deliver justice that is both principled and practical in an evolving digital economy.
