Kraken secures Dubai approval for UAE crypto launch

• Kraken has secured full market approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), clearing the way for its planned UAE launch.
• The exchange plans to offer dirham-denominated trading, staking and crypto transfers, with institutional services also available.
• Kraken expects to introduce derivatives and additional yield products later in 2026 and during 2027, subject to regulatory approval.

Kraken’s parent company, Payward, has secured full market approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, paving the way for its UAE launch.

The exchange plans to offer spot and margin trading through dirham-denominated pairs, alongside direct deposits and withdrawals in UAE dirhams.

“From launch, clients in the UAE get the same order book and multi-asset coverage we run in every other market, under one of the clearest regulatory frameworks in the world,” said Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward and Kraken.

The initial rollout will also include on-chain staking, tokenised stocks through xStocks and Krak, Payward’s crypto-transfer service, and institutional over-the-counter trading.

Kraken plans to introduce crypto derivatives and additional yield products later in 2026 and during 2027, subject to further regulatory approval.

The approval follows preliminary authorisation in May 2026, which allowed Payward to prepare its Dubai operations before onboarding customers.

Payward holds more than 100 licences and registrations worldwide, supporting its expansion strategy across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

The approval gives Kraken a regulated route into the UAE market, with its initial offering focused on trading, staking and access to local currency.