Kraken Just Got Full Approval to Launch in the UAE
Oct 13, 2026
Kraken has secured a full VARA license in Dubai, clearing the way for a UAE launch with dirham trading in the coming weeks.
Kraken Clears the Final Hurdle in Dubai
Kraken just picked up a big regulatory win. The exchange has been granted a full Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) license in Dubai, which means it can now operate as a fully licensed crypto exchange in the emirate instead of running under temporary approval.
The process actually started back in May, when Kraken got preliminary approval from VARA. Since then, the exchange has been working through the rest of the requirements, and now it's cleared to go live. According to reports, Kraken plans to launch dirham trading pairs within weeks, giving local users a direct way to trade crypto against the UAE's national currency.
Joining a Crowded Field
Kraken isn't the first major name to set up shop under VARA. Binance, OKX, and Bybit already operate in Dubai under the same regulator, so Kraken is stepping into a market that's already competitive. One thing still missing from Kraken's approval is derivatives trading, which VARA hasn't signed off on yet. For now, spot trading in dirhams looks like the first priority.