Last updated: 25 July 2026. A running tracker of every virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the public register of Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The register currently lists 51 licensed VASPs — the most recent, Tribe Tokenisation FZE, added in June 2026 — making Dubai one of the world’s most active regulated crypto hubs. VARA is the sole virtual-asset regulator across Dubai’s mainland and free zones, except the DIFC.
Source of truth: the official VARA public register. The full table below mirrors it and is verified by Cryptonite. Status changes frequently — always confirm against the register before relying on it.
Key takeaways
- VARA’s public register lists 51 licensed VASPs as of July 2026, all marked Active.
- Global exchanges on the register include Binance, OKX, Crypto.com, Gate, HashKey, Deribit and Bitpanda.
- Licences are activity-based: each provider is authorised only for the specific services listed (broker-dealer, exchange, custody, advisory, etc.).
- Kraken and Bybit are not on the VARA register — Kraken holds preliminary approval and Bybit operates under a UAE SCA licence, not a full VARA VASP licence.
Full list of VARA-licensed VASPs
All 51 providers with a VASP licence on VARA’s register, newest first, with the services each is authorised to offer and the licence-issue date.
| # | Provider | Authorised services | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tribe Tokenisation FZE | Broker-Dealer | Jun 2026 |
| 2 | YHEGO Virtual Assets Exchange Service (Yhego Technology Investment) | Broker-Dealer, Exchange | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | CoinCorner Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services | Broker-Dealer | May 2026 |
| 4 | First Crypto Exchange (First Crypto) | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2026 |
| 5 | Liquidity Fintech FZE | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2026 |
| 6 | Daman Virtual Asset Brokerage | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2026 |
| 7 | Amber Premium FZE | Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment, Lending & Borrowing | Apr 2026 |
| 8 | RIV Technologies FZE | Advisory | Mar 2026 |
| 9 | XBase Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services | Broker-Dealer | Mar 2026 |
| 10 | Animoca Brands Middle East Advisory FZCO | Mgmt & Investment, Broker-Dealer | Feb 2026 |
| 11 | Nova Digital FZE | Mgmt & Investment | Jan 2026 |
| 12 | LCT Global FZE | Exchange | Dec 2025 |
| 13 | Ceffu Custody FZE | Custody | Oct 2025 |
| 14 | Selini Capital FZE | Broker-Dealer | Oct 2025 |
| 15 | BitGo MENA FZE | Broker-Dealer | Sep 2025 |
| 16 | Ctrl Alt Solutions DMCC | Broker-Dealer, Cat 1 VA Issuance | May 2025 |
| 17 | Prypco FZE | Broker-Dealer | May 2025 |
| 18 | Midchains FZE | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2025 |
| 19 | Gate Technology FZE (Gate) | Exchange | Apr 2025 |
| 20 | BitGo Custody MENA FZE | Custody (incl. custodial staking) | Apr 2025 |
| 21 | Bitpanda Custody MENA DMCC | Custody (incl. custodial staking) | Apr 2025 |
| 22 | Atremo Digital FZE | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2025 |
| 23 | MKX Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services | Broker-Dealer | Apr 2025 |
| 24 | DKK Digital FZE | Broker-Dealer, Advisory | Apr 2025 |
| 25 | HashKey MENA FZE (HashKey) | Broker-Dealer, Exchange | Apr 2025 |
| 26 | Gap 3 Partners FZCO | Advisory | Apr 2025 |
| 27 | Bitpanda Broker MENA DMCC | Broker-Dealer | Mar 2025 |
| 28 | Mantra Finance FZE | Exchange, Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment | Feb 2025 |
| 29 | Tokinvest DMCC | Broker-Dealer, Cat 1 VA Issuance | Dec 2024 |
| 30 | OFZA Fintech Virtual Asset Exchange Services | Exchange, Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment | Dec 2024 |
| 31 | Zand Bank P.J.S.C. | Custody | Dec 2024 |
| 32 | BitOasis Technologies FZE | Broker-Dealer | Nov 2024 |
| 33 | Deribit FZE | Exchange (incl. VA derivatives trading) | Nov 2024 |
| 34 | OKX Middle East Fintech FZE | Exchange (incl. derivatives), Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment, Lending & Borrowing | Sep 2024 |
| 35 | Aquanow ME FZE | Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment, Lending & Borrowing | Jul 2024 |
| 36 | Varni Labs FZE (Roma) | Broker-Dealer | Jul 2024 |
| 37 | MBIO FZE (MB.IO) | Broker-Dealer, Exchange | Jul 2024 |
| 38 | HT Markets MENA FZE | Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment | May 2024 |
| 39 | Binance FZE | Exchange (incl. derivatives), Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment, Lending & Borrowing | Apr 2024 |
| 40 | Foris DAX Middle East FZE (Crypto.com) | Exchange (incl. derivatives), Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment, Lending & Borrowing | Apr 2024 |
| 41 | Web 3 Innovations FZE (AYA) | Mgmt & Investment | Dec 2023 |
| 42 | Fasset FZE | Broker-Dealer | Nov 2023 |
| 43 | CoinMENA FZE | Broker-Dealer | Nov 2023 |
| 44 | Nine Blocks Capital Management FZE | Mgmt & Investment | Nov 2023 |
| 45 | GC Exchange FZE (GCEX) | Broker-Dealer | Nov 2023 |
| 46 | Morpheus Software Technology FZE (FUZE) | Broker-Dealer | Nov 2023 |
| 47 | Hex Trust MENA FZE | Custody | Nov 2023 |
| 48 | Trek Labs Ltd FZE (Backpack) | Exchange | Oct 2023 |
| 49 | Scintilla Network FZE | Broker-Dealer, Exchange | Sep 2023 |
| 50 | Komainu MEA FZE | Custody (incl. custodial staking & collateral wallets) | Aug 2023 |
| 51 | Laser Digital Middle East FZE | Broker-Dealer, Mgmt & Investment | Jul 2023 |
How VARA licence categories work
VARA issues activity-based licences — a provider must be authorised for each specific service it offers. The main categories:
- Exchange Services — operating a virtual-asset trading venue (a subset also covers derivatives trading)
- Broker-Dealer Services — matching buyers and sellers
- Custody Services — safeguarding client virtual assets, sometimes including custodial staking
- Management & Investment Services
- Lending & Borrowing Services
- Advisory Services
- VA Issuance (Category 1) — issuing virtual assets
Before a full licence, an applicant may hold an In-Principle Approval (IPA) — a conditional step that does not permit any operations or client servicing until the full VASP licence is granted.
Applying for a licence? See our step-by-step VARA VASP licence guide — categories, fees, capital requirements and the application process.
Related coverage
- Dubai VARA Tokenisation: Emirate Passes 50 Licensed VASPs
- VARA’s Token Issuance Rules: How Dubai Classifies Every Token
- Bybit’s Full UAE Crypto License and SCA Expansion
- Dirham Stablecoin DDSC Cleared for VARA Exchanges
Frequently asked questions
How many VASPs has VARA licensed?
As of July 2026, VARA’s public register lists 51 licensed VASPs in Dubai, all marked Active. The most recent addition was Tribe Tokenisation FZE in June 2026.
Is Binance licensed by VARA?
Yes. Binance FZE holds a full VARA VASP licence (since April 2024) covering exchange, broker-dealer, management & investment, and lending & borrowing services.
Are Kraken and Bybit VARA-licensed?
Not on VARA’s register. Kraken holds preliminary approval, and Bybit operates in the UAE under a Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) licence rather than a full VARA VASP licence. Neither appears on VARA’s public register of licensed VASPs.
What is the difference between a VASP licence and an In-Principle Approval?
A VASP licence authorises live operations. An In-Principle Approval (IPA) is a conditional pre-licence step; the holder cannot conduct any virtual-asset activity or service clients until the full licence is issued.
Cite this tracker
Using this data? Please credit Cryptonite with a link:
Source: Cryptonite — UAE VARA Licensed VASPs Tracker
https://cryptonite.ae/global/uae-vara-licensed-vasps-tracker/Cryptonite is independent of the projects it covers. This tracker is informational and not financial, legal, or tax advice. Licence status changes frequently — always confirm against VARA’s official register. See our Editorial Policy.
Related analysis: Web3 Layoffs in 2026: AI, No Revenue, or a Liquidity Crisis? – why stablecoin, RWA and infrastructure firms keep hiring while token-treasury protocols cut.
See also: UAE Crypto Tax 2026.
Part of the crypto licensing tracker — an independent, primary-source reference to virtual-asset licensing and registration by jurisdiction. Last verified: 7 August 2026.
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Compiled from regulator sources only. Cryptonite takes no referral fees and sells no placement in any register on this site. Reference only — not legal advice.
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