Crypto.com acquires regulatory license to offer derivatives in the United Arab Emirates

Crypto.com revealed on March 14 that it has acquired a limited license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to offer derivatives in the UAE. The firm also acknowledged that the new issuance extended the provisions of its existing VASP license to operate in the region.

The crypto trading platform noted that its new services will be first available to eligible institutions globally, with qualified investors to follow at a later date. The company also highlighted that the limited license will allow all its retail users to access USD fiat rails to deposit and withdraw USD from their Crypto.com account through Standard Chartered.

Crypto.com obtains a license for derivatives in the UAE

Our latest regulatory milestone – @cryptocom has received its license from @varadubai to offer derivatives in the #UAE.

Learn more 👉 https://t.co/LWlun3P3Ue pic.twitter.com/ZqTFrGy0Xq

— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) March 14, 2025

Crypto.com announced on Friday that it received a new regulatory license to offer derivatives in Dubai. The firm said that it has been allowed to offer crypto futures, perpetual swap contracts, and CFDs to institutions and qualified investors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The platform acknowledged in a previous press release that a new limited license was built on its previous VASP license to operate in the region. The exchange argued that the license will forward its “regional entity plans to initiate offering various derivatives products, including futures, perpetual swap contracts, and CFDs.”

“We are aggressively transforming and evolving Crypto.com to provide users around the world all of the financial technology tools they are looking for in one place. With this approval from VARA for a limited license we are taking a significant and exciting step forward in our pursuit.”

~ Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com.

The digital asset trading firm maintained that the Crypto.com roadmap focused on expanding its products and services. The company also promised its users that it would aggressively roll out some of its most significant updates and launches over the course of 2025.

The exchange announced in November 2023 that its Dubai entity, CRO DAX Middle East FZE, had acquired a VASP license for specified digital asset service activities by VARA. The license allowed the firm to offer regulated digital currency services, including exchange, broker-dealer, and lending and borrowing services. Kris Marszalek said it was an honor to be one of the first crypto exchanges to be granted a VASP license by VARA.

In April 2024, CRO DAX Middle East FZE received full operational approval from Dubai’s VARA after fulfilling the pre-operational conditions stipulated the previous year. Stuart Isted, General Manager of Crypto.com in the Middle East and Africa, acknowledged that the firm was supportive of the steps Dubai was taking to progress the crypto industry, both in the market and abroad.

Crypto.com also revealed its long-term commitment to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 with the establishment of its regional hub office in Dubai. H.E. Dr. Thani AI Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, stated that the UAE was committed to championing “the industries of the future.” He added that the nation was also committed to developing an ecosystem that attracted pioneers, innovators, and investors to bring them to fruition.

Crypto.com partners with Tawasal AI Khaleej

Crypto.com announced on March 13 that it secured a partnership with Tawasal AI Khaleej, a key player in AI and technology in the UAE. The firm noted that the collaboration will integrate its platform with Tawasal’s network and the Tawasal Superapp to give nearly four million users in the region access to crypto trading and services.

We are excited to announce that https://t.co/vCNztATkNg is the exclusive crypto partner for @TawasalSuperApp, strengthening https://t.co/vCNztATkNg’s position in the Middle East region!

Read more: https://t.co/1eGt0BY3uw pic.twitter.com/43P1PygLIv

— Crypto.com (@cryptocom) March 13, 2025

The trading platform highlighted that the partnership with Tawasal will roll out in two phases. In the first phase, Tawasal Al Khaleej will refer Crypto.com’s platform to its local and Middle Eastern partners, enhancing the exchange’s regional foothold. The firm said the second phase will integrate Crypto.com’s services into the Tawasal Superapp, making virtual asset trading more accessible.

Anziani said the partnership opened up a world of possibilities for the exchange to integrate its industry-leading products and services into its tech projects. Tawasal CEO Eric Leandri maintained that the Tawasal Superapp was poised to provide Crypto.com with unparalleled visibility and expose its financial products to the local market.

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