Kraken got Full Market Approval from Dubai's VARA, the last licensing stage after its preliminary nod in May. Parent Payward can now start regulated activity for retail, professional and institutional clients.

At launch, UAE clients get spot and margin trading in AED pairs, dirham deposits and withdrawals, on-chain staking, xStocks and Krak transfers, while institutions get OTC spot trading and Kraken Prime. "From launch, clients in the UAE get the same order book and multi-asset coverage we run in every other market," said co-CEO Arjun Sethi.

Crypto derivatives and new yield products should follow later in 2026 and into 2027, pending further approval. No launch date yet.

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