An interview with MANTRA CEO John Patrick Mullin

MANTRA recently made history as the first DeFi platform to secure a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

MANTRA recently made history as the first DeFi platform to secure a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This milestone allows MANTRA to operate as a fully regulated virtual asset exchange while offering Broker-Dealer Management and Investment Services.

To delve deeper into the complexities of obtaining a VASP license, the opportunities it unlocks for expanding partnerships and the importance of regulatory compliance in the evolving DeFi landscape, we spoke further with John Patrick Mullin, CEO at MANTRA.

John Patrick Mullin is a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and builder, focused on DeFi, blockchain technology, digital assets and Web3. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of MANTRA, a Layer 1 blockchain for RWA tokenization, and SOMA.finance. He has been investing/building in the crypto and digital assets space for over 10 years, having worked in decentralized finance and exchange/brokerage businesses.

John was introduced to Bitcoin in 2013 while earning his International Business degree from SLU-Madrid. He later pursued a dual Master’s Degree in Management from European Business School in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Economics from Tongji University in Shanghai, China, leading to a research analyst role at one of the largest Chinese state-owned banks.

Q 1. MANTRA Chain is designed as a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain for real-world assets, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance. What led you to prioritize a compliance-first approach, and how has this shaped your partnerships and business strategy?

A 1. From the very beginning, we recognized that the future of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization depends on regulatory trust and institutional adoption. Unlike speculative crypto projects, RWAs involve tangible assets, which means that compliance isn’t optional – it’s a prerequisite for scalability. MANTRA Chain was designed as a regulatory-first Layer 1, ensuring that financial institutions and asset managers can confidently engage with blockchain technology within a clear legal framework.

This approach has directly shaped our partnerships and strategy. Securing a Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) license in Dubai was a key step, as it positioned us to work with major financial players in a compliant environment. Our recent $1 billion real estate tokenization deal with DAMAC Group and collaborations with Google Cloud for secure infrastructure further reflect this vision. By prioritizing compliance, we’re bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain, making RWAs a viable asset class for mainstream adoption.

Q 2. Securing a VASP license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) is a significant milestone. How challenging was this process for MANTRA, especially as an RWA-focused platform?

A 2. Obtaining the VARA license was three years in the making and a necessary step to position MANTRA as a trusted player in the RWA space. Dubai has one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, designed to ensure transparency, security, and investor protection. Meeting these standards involved extensive audits, detailed compliance documentation, and a clear demonstration of how our platform aligns with existing financial regulations. The process required us to show robust risk management, KYC/AML capabilities, transaction monitoring, and adherence to international financial regulations.

For an RWA-focused platform like MANTRA, the challenge was even greater because tokenizing real-world assets involves both blockchain regulations and traditional finance oversight. However, this process reinforced our long-term vision – by operating within a fully regulated environment, we can attract institutional players who require legal certainty before engaging with digital assets. Now, with our VARA license in place, we’re uniquely positioned to drive large-scale adoption of tokenized RWAs.

Q 3. Based on your experience, what key advice would you offer to other Web3 businesses looking to achieve similar regulatory approvals?

A 3. For Web3 businesses aiming to secure regulatory approvals, the key is to treat compliance as a core business function, not an afterthought. Regulators are looking for companies that take risk management seriously. So, don’t wait for regulations to dictate your approach. Instead, work directly with them to understand their expectations, ensure alignment with their frameworks, and be transparent about your business model. This builds trust and can significantly speed up the approval process.

Having an in-house legal team is key, as well as engaging with outside firms that have experience in regulated financial markets. Together, it’s a strong combination that brings together decades of experience.

Finally, build compliance into your infrastructure: integrate KYC, AML, transaction monitoring, and onchain identity verification at the protocol level (as we did with MANTRA Chain). Regulators want to see that compliance isn’t just bolted on – it needs to be embedded in your technology and operations.

Q 4. MANTRA has been actively working with Web2 businesses, such as your recent partnership with DAMAC. Do you see the VASP