Kraken Secures Full Dubai License to Launch UAE Trading Services

Dubai license — Kraken exchange’s parent company, Payward, has received a full operating license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, clearing the way for its official launch in the United Arab Emirates.

The approval allows Payward to operate as a regulated virtual asset service provider for retail, professional, and institutional investors across the UAE. The firm had secured preliminary approval in May to complete its operational setup.

At launch, UAE-based clients will gain access to spot and margin trading with dirham-denominated pairs, on-chain staking, tokenized equities, and crypto transfer services. Institutional offerings will include OTC spot trading and access to Kraken Prime.

The expansion comes as Payward, which holds over 100 licenses globally, has deepened its integration with traditional finance, including a reported $100 million investment from Nasdaq and a partnership with SoFi Technologies.