vara

According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BlackRock-backed tokenization platform Securitize to advance the tokenization and digital asset infrastructure development in the UAE and Dubai. Both parties stated that the agreement will establish a collaborative framework to support regulated tokenization initiatives, promote institutional participation, and strengthen Dubai's digital asset ecosystem.A VARA spokesperson stated that the memorandum aims to combine VARA's regulatory perspective with Securitize's experience in institutional tokenization to determine how the collaboration can help Dubai develop a trustworthy and regulated tokenization market, with no specific projects to be announced at this stage. Carlos Domingo, co-founder and CEO of Securitize, stated that Dubai is one of the most forward-looking jurisdictions for global digital asset innovation, and collaborating with regulators is crucial for tokenization to move from concept to mainstream financial infrastructure.At the time of this announcement, investor demand for tokenized assets continues to rise. According to RWA.xyz data, the total number of tokenized asset holders has increased by 103% over the past 30 days to 3.2 million, and the total value of tokenized assets has grown by 2% to $38.5 billion. Securitize is currently the largest tokenization platform globally, with a tokenized asset management scale of $4.9 billion, while Ondo Finance ranks second with $3.5 billion.

Brian Armstrong posted on the X platform that Deribit has obtained a VARA brokerage license, allowing access to the market and liquidity of Coinbase Exchange. The UAE is embracing modern finance and digital assets.

The cryptocurrency market maker Flowdesk, supported by Coinbase, has obtained a full brokerage license issued by Dubai VARA, allowing it to provide compliant services to local institutional investors.

Cregis Custody FZE announced that it has received the In-Principle Approval (IPA) granted by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), marking a significant milestone in its application for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.Upon completing the subsequent regulatory requirements and obtaining final approval, Cregis Custody FZE will launch regulated digital asset custody services.

According to The National, the UK fintech company Revolut has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to provide cryptocurrency-related services in the UAE, including brokerage, asset management and investment, as well as exchange operations.Revolut stated that this approval lays the foundation for launching virtual asset services under a regulated framework.

According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has granted the 50th Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license to the tokenized asset platform Tribe Tokenisation FZE. VARA stated that licensed enterprises must undergo a controlled operation phase before officially providing services. By the end of 2025, 39 licensed VASPs will be fully operational, and the latest data for 2026 is still being verified. In comparison, Singapore currently has 37 licensed digital payment token service providers, while Hong Kong has only 13 licensed virtual asset trading platforms.

According to Bitcoin.com, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) recently released a new version of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory guidelines, requiring cryptocurrency businesses operating in Dubai to incorporate real-time data on high-risk and blacklist countries from the FATF into their risk scoring models, replacing the previous static compliance tracking mechanism.The new regulations require businesses to update their risk assessments at least every three months, and any significant changes in operational structure or product lines must be updated immediately; at the same time, the risks of diffusion financing and targeted financial sanctions must be assessed separately and not be merged with general anti-money laundering compliance; in addition, businesses must formally document the risks associated with AI-assisted operations and anonymous-enhanced exchanges.VARA stated that compliance officers, senior management, and board members must take full responsibility for the company's residual risk ratings, and the regulatory focus has shifted from post-event penalties to proactive systemic risk management.

According to Businesswire, Kraken's parent company Payward announced that it has received preliminary approval for brokerage, investment, and management licenses granted by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai, UAE, to expand its cryptocurrency business in the UAE.Payward expects to offer spot, margin, and OTC trading, staking services, and Kraken Prime services for institutional clients through locally regulated entities, as well as support for peer-to-peer cryptocurrency asset transfer functionality.

The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) released guidelines for the issuance of virtual assets on Thursday, providing clear regulations on the structural design, information disclosure, and distribution methods for stablecoins and real-world asset (RWA) tokens.The guidelines categorize token issuance into three pathways: Category 1 covers fiat-pegged and asset-pegged virtual assets; Category 2 must be distributed through licensed intermediaries, which are responsible for due diligence and ongoing compliance verification; the third category consists of functionally restricted exempt virtual assets.VARA's General Counsel Ruben Bombardi stated that the framework enhances transparency through white papers and independent risk disclosure statements, providing issuers with "greater regulatory certainty" and offering market participants a "single, exclusive reference." These guidelines serve as an interpretative document for the existing "Virtual Asset Issuance Rules Manual" and do not constitute new legislation.

The Pakistani Parliament has officially passed the "Virtual Assets Bill 2026," establishing the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), which is responsible for licensing and regulating virtual asset service providers within the country.The bill aims to protect investors, combat money laundering and terrorist financing, and promote fintech innovation, aligning Pakistan's regulatory standards with international norms. PVARA was previously a temporary body established by a presidential decree in July 2025, and this legislation marks its formal legalization.

According to the official announcement, the globally leading pioneer in the cryptocurrency industry, Gate Group, has announced that its entity Gate Technology FZE (referred to as "Gate Dubai") has officially launched operations. Gate Dubai holds a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license under the regulation and supervision of the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing it to provide cryptocurrency spot trading services to institutional investors, qualified investors, and retail users. This launch is seen as an important advancement in Gate Group's global compliance strategy, further consolidating its compliance layout in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and enhancing its ability to connect regional and global markets.It is reported that Gate Dubai will offer spot trading services covering mainstream cryptocurrency assets and support spot matching of local currencies and cryptocurrency assets to enhance asset allocation and trading convenience. At the same time, the platform has activated an independent localized site and is advancing the construction of a local team and customer support system, planning to participate in the development of the local digital asset ecosystem through industry collaboration and educational activities. According to official information from Gate Group, its related entities have obtained or completed relevant regulatory registrations, license applications, authorizations, or approvals in jurisdictions such as Malta, the Bahamas, Japan, Australia, and Dubai, continuously promoting a globalization path centered on compliance.

ChainCatcher news, according to market news, Animoca Brands is now entering the crypto brokerage field after receiving the principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).The official website of the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority shows that Animoca Brands has received principle approval for the VASP service license for crypto brokerage under the name "Animoca Brands Middle East Advisory FZCO."

ChainCatcher news, LTP (Liquidity Tech) subsidiary Liquidity Fintech FZE in Dubai has received the "in-principle approval" (IPA) for virtual asset service provider (VASP) from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This approval allows it to conduct virtual asset brokerage and proprietary trading in the UAE and serve qualified and institutional investors as a hub for the Middle East.LTP stated that it will advance the full licensing application process. VARA is responsible for the licensing and regulation of digital asset activities in Dubai, emphasizing the framework requirements between innovation and investor protection.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, digital asset infrastructure company BitGo has announced that it has received regulatory approval to provide specific services in Dubai, coinciding with the announcement of multiple enforcement actions by relevant authorities in Dubai.In an announcement released on Tuesday, BitGo stated that its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) branch has obtained a brokerage license issued by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing the company to "provide regulated digital asset trading and intermediary services for institutional clients." Less than 24 hours before VARA announced the approval of this license, it stated that it had fined 19 companies for engaging in "unlicensed virtual asset activities" and "violating VARA marketing regulations."

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has officially established a strategic partnership with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to coordinate and unify the cryptocurrency regulatory framework in the UAE.According to the agreement, both parties will implement a mutual recognition mechanism for Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses, but companies will still need to undergo compliance reviews such as anti-money laundering assessments. This collaboration simplifies the national business operation process for enterprises, and the SCA has also established a special committee to work with VARA to improve regulatory regulations, marking a key step for the UAE towards becoming a global leader in crypto governance. VARA emphasized that this cooperation is the beginning of broader national regulatory coordination and will promote cross-border regulatory interoperability with institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Global Market in the future.

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, OKX has announced that it is the first global trading platform to launch regulated crypto derivatives for retail users in the UAE, with products including futures, perpetual contracts, and options, all supporting up to 5x leverage. This initiative not only broadens the strategic options for retail users in a highly volatile market but also reflects the platform's ongoing commitment to compliance, security, and user education.It is reported that the launch of this product relies on the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)'s "Innovation Pilot Framework," which aims to provide a controlled testing environment for innovative financial products while enhancing regulatory safeguards to encourage innovation.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the federal government of Pakistan has recently officially established the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), which will serve as an independent regulatory body responsible for the licensing, supervision, and compliance management of the country's digital asset industry. Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb stated that this move aims to establish a forward-looking regulatory framework to protect consumers and attract global investment.Previously, Pakistan had allocated 2000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and the construction of artificial intelligence centers. The plan received support from the Ministry of Finance but faced opposition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

ChainCatcher news, the Solana Foundation has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The two parties will collaborate on talent development, data sharing, founder workshops, and advisory discussions, and support the establishment of a Solana economic zone in Dubai.