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.
According to official disclosures, Standard Chartered announced that it has received approval from the UAE Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to officially launch cryptocurrency trading solutions for professional investors in the UAE. Eligible affluent clients can directly buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through their existing bank accounts, without the need to set up a separate wallet or use third-party platforms.
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.
: Brian Armstrong posted on X, stating that Deribit has obtained a VARA broker-dealer license, allowing it to access Coinbase Exchange's market and liquidity. The UAE is embracing modern finance and digital assets.
Odaily News: Deribit, the crypto options platform under Coinbase, announced it has obtained a broker-dealer license from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). The license will enable Deribit to enhance its spot trading services, with Coinbase Exchange serving as a key liquidity provider, offering Deribit clients higher liquidity and access to hundreds of new assets.
ARP Digital has obtained a broker-dealer license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing it to conduct regulated exchange services between digital assets and the UAE Dirham.
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.
Cregis Custody FZE announced that it has received an 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 subsequent regulatory requirements and obtaining final approval, Cregis Custody FZE will commence regulated digital asset custody services.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amber Premium (NASDAQ: AMBR), an institutional-grade crypto financial services provider, today announced its full-year 2025 financial results. The report shows the company achieved annual total revenue of $66.1 million, setting a new historical record; full-year client trading volume exceeded $11 billion, with average platform assets per active client reaching $1.3 million. On the compliance front, following an in-principle approval in Q4 2025, the company officially received the Dubai VARA VASP license in April 2026, completing its strategic "Pan-Asia Tri-Pole" layout across Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong.
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.