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Built on Gear Protocol, Vara is a layer-1 blockchain supporting developers to run Wasm-compiled smart contracts implemented via developer-friendly Rust libraries.
Revolut Receives In-Principle Approval from Dubai’s VARA to Offer Crypto Services in the UAE
British fintech company Revolut announced that it has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to conduct crypto asset-related business in the UAE. The scope of Revolut’s approval includes brokerage and dealing, asset management and investment, as well as cryptocurrency trading services. Revolut stated that in the future, users in the UAE will be able to buy, sell, and hold digital assets through the Revolut App and the Revolut X trading platform. (Cointelegraph)
Revolut 获迪拜 VARA 原则性批准，拟在阿联酋推出加密货币服务
According to The National, UK fintech company Revolut has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to provide cryptocurrency-related services in the UAE, with business scope including brokerage and proprietary trading, asset management and investment, and exchange operations. Revolut stated that this approval lays the foundation for launching virtual asset services under a regulated framework.
Kraken plans to apply for a European banking license in Lithuania
cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is seeking to obtain a full banking license in Europe, with Lithuania as the key jurisdiction for its application. If approved, Kraken would become the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a full European banking license. Reports indicate this move is part of its parent company Payward's global licensing strategy. Previously, Kraken Financial connected to the U.S. Federal Reserve's payment infrastructure in March this year, and Payward also obtained regulatory approval from the UAE's VARA in May.
Dubai Crypto Market Reaches 50 Licensed Institutions, VARA Approves Tokenization Platform Tribe Tokenisation
According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has granted the 50th Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license to tokenized asset platform Tribe Tokenisation FZE. VARA stated that licensed enterprises must undergo a controlled operation phase before formally providing services. As of the end of 2025, 39 licensed VASPs were fully operational, and the latest 2026 data 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.
Dubai’s VARA Releases Updated Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines, Requiring Crypto Firms to Integrate Real-Time Risk Controls Against FATF Blacklists
According to Bitcoin.com, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) recently released an updated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory guidance, requiring cryptocurrency firms operating in Dubai to integrate FATF high-risk and blacklist country data into their risk-scoring models in real time—replacing the previous static compliance tracking mechanism. Under the new rules, firms must update their risk assessments at least once every three months, and immediately upon any material change to their operational structure or product offerings. Additionally, proliferation financing risks and targeted financial sanctions risks must be assessed separately and may not be broadly conflated with AML compliance. Firms are also required to formally document risks arising from AI-assisted operations and privacy-enhancing exchanges. VARA stated that compliance officers, senior management, and board members bear full responsibility for their company’s residual risk rating, signaling a regulatory shift from post-hoc enforcement toward proactive, systemic risk management.
Kraken’s parent company Payward receives preliminary approval from Dubai’s VARA to operate cryptocurrency businesses
According to Businesswire, Payward, the parent company of Kraken, announced that it has received preliminary approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in the United Arab Emirates for brokerage, trading, investment, and management licenses. Payward plans to expand its crypto business in the UAE and expects to offer spot, margin, and OTC trading, staking services, and Kraken Prime—its institutional offering—through a locally regulated entity. It will also support peer-to-peer crypto-asset transfers.
Dubai’s VARA Releases Updated Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines, Requiring Crypto Firms to Integrate Real-Time Risk Controls Against FATF Blacklists
According to Bitcoin.com, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) recently released an updated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory guidance, requiring cryptocurrency firms operating in Dubai to integrate FATF high-risk and blacklist country data into their risk-scoring models in real time—replacing the previous static compliance tracking mechanism. Under the new rules, firms must update their risk assessments at least once every three months, and immediately upon any material change to their operational structure or product offerings. Additionally, proliferation financing risks and targeted financial sanctions risks must be assessed separately and may not be broadly conflated with AML compliance. Firms are also required to formally document risks arising from AI-assisted operations and privacy-enhancing exchanges. VARA stated that compliance officers, senior management, and board members bear full responsibility for their company’s residual risk rating, signaling a regulatory shift from post-hoc enforcement toward proactive, systemic risk management.
Kraken’s parent company Payward receives preliminary approval from Dubai’s VARA to operate cryptocurrency businesses
According to Businesswire, Payward, the parent company of Kraken, announced that it has received preliminary approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in the United Arab Emirates for brokerage, trading, investment, and management licenses. Payward plans to expand its crypto business in the UAE and expects to offer spot, margin, and OTC trading, staking services, and Kraken Prime—its institutional offering—through a locally regulated entity. It will also support peer-to-peer crypto-asset transfers.
Pakistan’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a regulatory notice requiring virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to obtain authorization in advance.
According to an official announcement by the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), under the 2026 Virtual Assets Act, all virtual asset services fall within PVARA’s regulatory purview and must obtain prior authorization before commencing operations or making public announcements. PVARA welcomes responsible innovation and encourages relevant stakeholders to engage with the authority at an early stage. Innovators may pursue compliant business activities through pathways such as the regulatory sandbox, No-Action Relief Letters, and Letters of No Objection (NOC).
Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Releases Token Issuance Guidelines, Clarifying Regulatory Frameworks for Stablecoins and RWAs
According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) released its Virtual Asset Issuance Guidance on Thursday, establishing clear requirements for the structural design, disclosure, and distribution of stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). The guidance categorizes token issuances into three pathways: Category 1 covers fiat- and asset-backed virtual assets; Category 2 requires distribution through licensed intermediaries, which are responsible for conducting due diligence and ongoing compliance verification; and Category 3 comprises functionally limited exempt virtual assets. Ruben Bombardi, VARA’s General Counsel, stated that the framework enhances transparency through whitepapers and independent risk disclosure statements, providing issuers with “greater regulatory certainty” and market participants with a “single, dedicated reference point.” This guidance serves as an interpretive document clarifying VARA’s existing Virtual Asset Issuance Rules Handbook—not as newly enacted legislation.
Related news
Revolut Receives In-Principle Approval from Dubai’s VARA to Offer Crypto Services in the UAE
British fintech company Revolut announced that it has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to conduct crypto asset-related business in the UAE. The scope of Revolut’s approval includes brokerage and dealing, asset management and investment, as well as cryptocurrency trading services. Revolut stated that in the future, users in the UAE will be able to buy, sell, and hold digital assets through the Revolut App and the Revolut X trading platform. (Cointelegraph)
Revolut 获迪拜 VARA 原则性批准，拟在阿联酋推出加密货币服务
According to The National, UK fintech company Revolut has received in-principle approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to provide cryptocurrency-related services in the UAE, with business scope including brokerage and proprietary trading, asset management and investment, and exchange operations. Revolut stated that this approval lays the foundation for launching virtual asset services under a regulated framework.
Kraken plans to apply for a European banking license in Lithuania
cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is seeking to obtain a full banking license in Europe, with Lithuania as the key jurisdiction for its application. If approved, Kraken would become the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a full European banking license. Reports indicate this move is part of its parent company Payward's global licensing strategy. Previously, Kraken Financial connected to the U.S. Federal Reserve's payment infrastructure in March this year, and Payward also obtained regulatory approval from the UAE's VARA in May.
Dubai Crypto Market Reaches 50 Licensed Institutions, VARA Approves Tokenization Platform Tribe Tokenisation
According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has granted the 50th Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license to tokenized asset platform Tribe Tokenisation FZE. VARA stated that licensed enterprises must undergo a controlled operation phase before formally providing services. As of the end of 2025, 39 licensed VASPs were fully operational, and the latest 2026 data 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.
Dubai’s VARA Releases Updated Anti-Money Laundering Guidelines, Requiring Crypto Firms to Integrate Real-Time Risk Controls Against FATF Blacklists
According to Bitcoin.com, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) recently released an updated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory guidance, requiring cryptocurrency firms operating in Dubai to integrate FATF high-risk and blacklist country data into their risk-scoring models in real time—replacing the previous static compliance tracking mechanism. Under the new rules, firms must update their risk assessments at least once every three months, and immediately upon any material change to their operational structure or product offerings. Additionally, proliferation financing risks and targeted financial sanctions risks must be assessed separately and may not be broadly conflated with AML compliance. Firms are also required to formally document risks arising from AI-assisted operations and privacy-enhancing exchanges. VARA stated that compliance officers, senior management, and board members bear full responsibility for their company’s residual risk rating, signaling a regulatory shift from post-hoc enforcement toward proactive, systemic risk management.
Kraken’s parent company Payward receives preliminary approval from Dubai’s VARA to operate cryptocurrency businesses
According to Businesswire, Payward, the parent company of Kraken, announced that it has received preliminary approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in the United Arab Emirates for brokerage, trading, investment, and management licenses. Payward plans to expand its crypto business in the UAE and expects to offer spot, margin, and OTC trading, staking services, and Kraken Prime—its institutional offering—through a locally regulated entity. It will also support peer-to-peer crypto-asset transfers.