Crypto.com gets MVP preparatory license from Dubai regulator

Crypto.com has announced its receipt of a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) Preparatory license from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).

This preparatory phase operations license came after the exchange obtained provisional approval from the regulator in Dubai last year. In the preparatory stage, the MVP license allows the exchange to fulfill the conditions to operate within the set VARA rules. The rules outline that no company may carry out any virtual asset activity by way of promotions, offers, or appear to do so in Dubai unless it is authorized and licensed by VARA for such activity.

Dubai’s VARA was established in March 2022 and is in charge of regulating, supervising, and overseeing virtual assets and virtual asset activities in all zones across the Emirate of Dubai, including Special Development Zones and Free Zones but excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The MVP Phase in its preparatory stage allows for approved licensees to fulfill all pre-conditions required to undertake MVP market operations within the VARA Regime. Once the license is operational, Crypto.com will be allowed to offer spot and derivatives instruments of virtual assets. The offerings can include exchange services, brokerage, margin or leverage trading, and Over-the-counter (OTC) offerings around settlements for institutional investors.

According to the announcement, Crypto.com was granted the MVP preparatory license following a thorough review of various aspects of the exchange firm. These aspects include key personnel, governance procedures, Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) capabilities, Know Your Customer (KYC) policies and procedures, Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) policies and procedures, compliance practices, and cross-border safety measures.

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VARA CEO Henson Orser explained that VARA’s regulatory approach will be beneficial in forming a robust and resilient ecosystem that will provide a superior virtual asset market with secure international operations. He concluded that the inclusion of companies such as Crypto.com would advance their mission of establishing a progressive, forward-thinking regulatory framework.

Recently, Crypto.com has been expanding its presence globally. The exchange is authorized and licensed in most major markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and several others. It also got a payment institution license in Brazil.

Earlier, Binance gained the MVP license as the exchange has been changing its operational strategies and secured several regulatory licenses.