Summary Kraken’s parent company, Payward, secured full regulatory approval from Dubai’s VARA to provide cryptocurrency services to investors across UAE markets. UAE customers can access AED t
Kraken’s parent company, Payward, has secured regulatory approval to enter the United Arab Emirates cryptocurrency market through Dubai. The authorization allows the company to offer regulated digital asset services to retail, professional, and institutional investors.
According to Payward’s announcement, Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) granted the company Full Market Approval to operate as a Virtual Asset Service Provider. This clearance enables Payward to introduce Kraken’s trading services while supporting transactions directly in UAE dirhams.
The expansion also gives regional investors access to Kraken’s global trading infrastructure, including spot markets, margin trading, and institutional services.
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Under the approved framework, Kraken will allow UAE customers to trade cryptocurrencies through AED-denominated pairs. Users can also deposit and withdraw funds directly in dirhams, removing the need for separate currency conversions.
Additionally, the exchange will introduce on-chain staking, tokenized equities through xStocks, and cryptocurrency transfers through its Krak platform. These services will operate alongside Kraken’s existing trading products, providing customers with several options for managing digital assets.
Institutional investors will receive access to over-the-counter spot trading and Kraken Prime, the company’s institutional trading platform. Through these services, eligible clients can execute larger transactions and access Kraken’s broader liquidity network.
Payward Co-CEO Arjun Sethi explained that UAE customers would access the same order books and asset coverage available across Kraken’s markets. He also highlighted Dubai’s regulatory framework and the company’s ability to connect regional investors with global liquidity.
Payward’s regulatory clearance marks the completion of Dubai’s licensing process, following preliminary approval granted in May 2026. That earlier authorization allowed the company to establish operational arrangements before introducing customer services.
Beyond its initial offering, Payward plans to introduce cryptocurrency derivatives and additional yield products during 2026 and 2027. These planned services will require further regulatory approval before becoming available to customers.
The company also intends to provide regional financial businesses with embedded trading infrastructure through its trading-as-a-service offering. This arrangement would allow partners to integrate digital asset trading capabilities into their existing financial platforms.
Payward currently maintains more than 100 licenses and registrations across international markets, including Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Its Dubai authorization adds another regulated jurisdiction to that network and establishes a local operating presence for Kraken’s UAE expansion.
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