Kraken UAE Launch Advances with Full VARA Approval for Payward
Payward has secured full regulatory approval from Dubai's VARA, paving the way for Kraken to offer regulated cryptocurrency services in the UAE.
Payward has secured full regulatory approval from Dubai's VARA, paving the way for Kraken to offer regulated cryptocurrency services in the UAE. This is an original Token Times brief synthesising 3 outlets (Blockonomi, Crypto.news, Coinfomania), plus live market data, as of Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:00:01 UTC.
This development marks a significant expansion of Kraken's global footprint into a major crypto hub, providing regulated access to Middle Eastern markets while setting a precedent for crypto exchanges seeking to operate in the UAE.
- Payward receives full VARA approval for UAE operations
- Kraken will offer AED spot and margin trading with direct dirham transactions
- Institutional services like OTC trading and Kraken Prime access are planned
- Approval comes amid growing crypto adoption in the Middle East
All three outlets - Blockonomi, Crypto.news, and Coinfomania - confirm that Payward has secured full regulatory approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the final stage of licensing. They agree this will enable Kraken to offer regulated cryptocurrency trading services in the UAE, including AED-denominated spot and margin trading with direct dirham deposits and withdrawals. However, only Blockonomi specifies that institutional clients will have access to OTC spot trading and Kraken Prime, while the other outlets mention these services more generally. Additionally, Blockonomi mentions that crypto derivatives and new yield products are expected later, a detail not covered by the other outlets.
Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, has received full regulatory approval from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), according to multiple outlets. This approval marks the final stage of Dubai's licensing process, allowing Kraken to offer a full suite of cryptocurrency trading services in the UAE.
Kraken's UAE platform will support AED-denominated spot and margin trading, with direct dirham deposits and withdrawals available for users. This will provide local customers with a regulated way to trade cryptocurrencies using their local currency. Additionally, institutional clients will have access to over-the-counter (OTC) spot trading and Kraken Prime, the exchange's premium service offering.
The announcement comes as Dubai continues to establish itself as a major hub for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. VARA has been actively working on creating a comprehensive regulatory framework to attract crypto businesses while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity.
While the exact timeline for the launch has not been disclosed, the approval positions Kraken to tap into the growing Middle Eastern market. The exchange plans to introduce additional products, including crypto derivatives and new yield offerings, in the future.
The broader crypto market remains relatively stable, with a total market cap of $2.9 trillion. 
Bitcoin is up 0.61% in the past 24 hours, trading at around $37,400, while the Fear & Greed Index stands at 69, indicating 'Greed' among investors.
Figures and sectors in this story, checked live against on-chain aggregators · October 12, 2026.
Token Times reads these figures directly from on-chain aggregators (DeFiLlama, mempool.space) at build time — independent of what any outlet reported. Sector totals aggregate every protocol DeFiLlama tracks in that category. Values are live and will change.
Kraken UAE Launch Advances with Full VARA Approval for Paywa — questions & answers
What services will Kraken offer in the UAE?
Kraken will offer AED-denominated spot and margin trading with direct dirham transactions, along with OTC spot trading and Kraken Prime access for institutional clients.
When will Kraken launch its services in the UAE?
The exact launch date has not been announced, but full regulatory approval from VARA has been secured.
What is the significance of this approval for Kraken?
This approval allows Kraken to enter the UAE market, expanding its global footprint and providing regulated access to Middle Eastern customers.
Which outlets reported this story?
This is an original Token Times brief that synthesises reporting from Blockonomi, Crypto.news, Coinfomania, with the key figures cross-checked for agreement across them. It is not a copy of any one article — follow the source links above for the original reporting.
Original summary — not financial advice. This is an original Token Times brief that summarises a development reported elsewhere and adds live market data for context; it is not the original article and reproduces no part of it. Follow the source link above for full details. Crypto is volatile and high-risk — always do your own research.