Kraken Wins Full UAE License to Offer Spot and Margin Trading

Kraken has received a full license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), expanding the exchange’s ability to serve retail and institutional crypto traders in the United Arab Emirates.

The license, issued through Kraken parent Payward, covers crypto brokerage, management and investment activities. UAE customers can trade spot and margin products using United Arab Emirates dirham pairs, while funding and withdrawals will also be available in AED.

The offering includes on-chain staking, xStocks and Krak, Payward’s crypto transfer platform. Institutional customers will additionally have access to over-the-counter trading and Kraken Prime.

Kraken first received preliminary approval months earlier. The company previously entered Abu Dhabi in 2022 before withdrawing and downsizing its UAE operations.

Payward Co-CEO Arjun Sethi said UAE customers will receive access to Kraken’s broader order book and multi-asset coverage through the company’s regulatory infrastructure.

Kraken plans to seek approval for additional products, including crypto derivatives and yield-generating services, with potential introductions in late 2026 or early 2027.