News linked to both this project and an event.
Odaily reports: Gate Money connects account payments, asset exchange, and everyday spending, with its services underpinned by collaboration among international banks, payment institutions, custody providers, and clearing institutions. Eligible users can use bank accounts in their own name to manage fiat funds by currency, process deposits and withdrawals, and send and receive digital assets through supported blockchain networks. The availability of each feature depends on local regulatory requirements, the service capabilities of partner institutions, and user eligibility.On the compliance front, Gate has obtained a MiCA license and a Payment Institution (PI) license in the EU, its Dubai entity has obtained a VARA license, and its Australian entity has completed AUSTRAC registration as a digital currency exchange provider, with these qualifications applying to the respective entities and approved business activities. Gate US holds 37 state-level Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs), covering 47 U.S. states and territories. On asset transparency, Gate's latest proof of reserves shows that the platform's total reserve size has risen to USD 8.688 billion, with an overall reserve coverage ratio of 118.49%; BTC reserves reached 25,727, with a reserve ratio of 121.60%; ETH reserves stood at 449,042, with a reserve ratio of 123.78%. Collaboration with financial institutions, compliance qualifications, and verifiable reserves together form the foundation of Gate Money's services, supporting the platform in meeting fund payment and asset management needs beyond trading. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily reports: Google will update its financial services and products policy. Starting October 21, advertisers promoting crypto trading platforms, crypto wallets, CFDs, and forex services to the UAE must obtain a license from one of CMA, DFSA, FSRA, or VARA and complete Google certification, while also complying with other local legal requirements. This policy applies to all relevant advertising accounts globally. In case of violations, Google will first issue a warning and may only suspend the account after at least 7 days.
Odaily News: Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken's parent company Payward has received full market approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), with its local entity Payward FZCO obtaining a virtual asset service provider license, allowing it to offer crypto asset services in the UAE. The approval builds on preliminary approval obtained in May 2026.Payward stated that Kraken's UAE clients will be able to use spot and margin trading pairs denominated in UAE dirhams within the coming weeks, with support for direct deposits and withdrawals. The services will be available to retail investors, professional investors, and institutional investors.VARA's public registry shows that Payward FZCO was approved on October 6 to provide asset management and investment services, as well as broker-dealer services. The number of licensed service providers currently registered with Dubai's VARA stands at 58, up from 49 in May 2026. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily News: The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a reserve asset audit circular on October 6, clarifying the minimum requirements for independent audits of VASPs. VASPs must maintain reserves of no less than 100% of customer liabilities throughout the entire review period, held 1:1 in the same virtual assets, with daily reconciliation. The audit scope must cover hot wallets, warm wallets, cold wallets, third-party wallet infrastructure, and third-party custodied assets, and must verify customer asset segregation, wallet control, and whether any re-staking, lending, or other use exists.
According to Cointelegraph, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and BlackRock-backed tokenization platform Securitize have officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), establishing a cooperation framework to support the implementation of regulated tokenization projects, attract institutional participation, and strengthen Dubai’s digital asset ecosystem. Carlos Domingo, co-founder and CEO of Securitize, stated that Dubai has become one of the most forward-thinking jurisdictions globally for digital asset innovation, and their collaboration aims to advance tokenization from a "concept into mainstream financial infrastructure." VARA noted that the MoU currently focuses on establishing a cooperative framework, with no specific projects announced at this time.
Coinbase-backed crypto market maker Flowdesk has obtained a full broker-dealer license issued by Dubai VARA, enabling it to provide compliant services to local institutional investors.
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.
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.
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).
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.