Bitpanda Secures Full Dubai License in Major Regulatory Win Outside Europe

Three months after receiving preliminary
authorization, Bitpanda has now secured a full broker-dealer license from the
Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing it to offer its
services in the UAE.

This marks the European exchange’s first fully
licensed expansion outside of Europe. Bitpanda’s new license enables it to
introduce a wide range of virtual assets to UAE investors, including over 500
cryptocurrencies, crypto indices, and savings plans.

UAE’s Crypto-Friendly Environment Draws Bitpanda

“The UAE is one of the most forward-thinking
markets for digital assets, and VARA sets a new standard for innovation and
investor protection. This license allows us to bring our trusted, regulated
platform to a new audience,” Fabian Reinisch, the General Counsel at
Bitpanda Group, said.

“We obtained approval in record time, and I
believe that is a testament to the decade of experience our teams have working
in the digital asset space and our commitment to the highest regulatory
standards,” he added.

@Bitpanda_global has secured an in-principle approval from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (#VARA) in #Dubai!This milestone paves the way for Bitpanda’s official launch in the #UAE under Bitpanda Broker MENA #DMCC.With this approval coming in under eight months,… pic.twitter.com/KJKqhqpYcH

— Unlock Blockchain (@unlockbc) December 16, 2024

The UAE has rapidly emerged as a top destination for
crypto firms due to its regulatory clarity and investor-friendly policies. With
Bitpanda’s entry, local investors will gain access to one of the most
comprehensive digital asset offerings in the market.

Multiple Licenses in Europe

The company already holds multiple licenses in Europe,
including a MiCAR license from Germany’s BaFin, registration with the UK’s
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and other regulatory approvals across
different markets.

Big news: Bitpanda has secured its MiCAR licence, granted by Germany’s BaFin – one of Europe’s top financial supervisory authorities. 🚀This sets a new benchmark for transparency, security, and trust in crypto across the EU. With this licence, we’re ready to bring regulated… pic.twitter.com/i1PlxhwK6U

— Bitpanda (@Bitpanda_global) January 27, 2025

With its license secured, Bitpanda is setting up
operations at the DMCC Crypto Centre in Dubai, where a regional team is already
in place. The company plans to roll out onboarding for UAE investors in the
coming months, offering access to its full suite of digital asset services.

Early this year, Bitpanda obtained its MiCAR license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). This approval reportedly enables the company to operate across all EU member states under a unified regulatory framework. It reportedly enables the exchange to expand its services across 27 EU countries.

This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.