VARA has updated its rulebook, allowing staking from custody services in Dubai.
The step boosts the Emirate's attractiveness as a new global crypto hub.
The skyline of Dubai
In a
significant move to expand the scope of virtual asset services in the Emirate
of Dubai, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has published a revised
Custody Services Rulebook. The updated regulations permit staking from custody
services, provided that the prescribed requirements of the amended rulebook are
met. This change allows Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to offer
staking without requiring a separate license for VA Management and Investment
Services.
Crypto Staking Is Now
Available in Dubai through Custody Services
VARA, the authority
responsible for regulating crypto services in Dubai (excluding the Dubai
International Financial Centre), has significantly changed its current
legislation. This amendment allows VASPs licensed as custodians to provide
staking services to their customers from the same legal entity. The provision
of this additional service will not require a separate license for VA
Management and Investment Services but will necessitate specific additional
approval from VARA.
Furthermore,
additional licensing and supervision fees will be payable in connection with
the provision of this new service. This move aligns with the Emirate's broader
strategy to foster innovation and growth in the financial technology sector,
ensuring that regulations are in place to maintain integrity and consumer protection
within the crypto space.
Crypto staking is a process that involves holding a specific cryptocurrency in a digital wallet to support the operations of a blockchain network. It's a form of proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, where the creator of the next block is chosen based on the number of coins held and staked.
It allows individuals to earn additional income by participating in the validation process of transactions in the crypto ecosystem.
From Oil to Crypto
Once entirely
dependent on oil, Dubai now has very limited reserves. Therefore, it has begun
preparations for economic transformation, just like the rest of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), focusing its economy on other sources of income. As a result,
Dubai's GDP is now only 5% dependent on liquid gold. One step towards
independence from oil extraction was the introduction of the first regulations
governing the cryptocurrency market in 2022 and the creation of VARA.
Regulatory
tensions in other parts of the world, including the USA and Europe, have led to
increasing cryptocurrency companies moving to the UAE and Dubai. It cites very
favorable tax conditions and stability, as well as the transparency of local
regulations. The possibility of crypto staking is an additional nod and
incentive towards them.
According
to Alex Chehade, the General Manager of Binance Dubai, the UAE could become the
primary destination for cryptocurrency businesses seeking favorable and
transparent regulations.
Binance and Major Crypto
Exchanges Are Now in Dubai
Last month,
Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, obtained an
operational license for crypto services in Dubai. This week, Komainu, a custody
service provider for crypto assets, announced obtaining a similar license.
"Dubai
has a vibrant digital asset ecosystem and impressive talent pool, and we are
proud to contribute to the growth of this innovative financial hub. Our
presence and desirable regulatory status in the region marks another
differentiator for us as we execute the next phase of our business," Sebastian
Widmann, the Head of Strategy at Komainu, commented.
The local
market also seems to hold substantial promise, as evidenced by retail
investors' enthusiasm in trading activities. The increasing count of engaged
traders in the UAE's FX/CFDs market underscores this trend, with Investment
Trends reporting that the number of traders in these financial instruments
hit an all-time high of 49,000 in 2023.
Source: Investment Trends
In addition
to Binance and Komainu, other leading cryptocurrency companies such as Bitget,
ByBit, and OKX have sought local licenses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This movement reflects a broader pattern among digital asset exchanges to
establish a foothold in the UAE. In a related development, OKX has recently
joined forces with Komainu to enhance the security of institutional crypto
trading.
In a
significant move to expand the scope of virtual asset services in the Emirate
of Dubai, the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has published a revised
Custody Services Rulebook. The updated regulations permit staking from custody
services, provided that the prescribed requirements of the amended rulebook are
met. This change allows Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to offer
staking without requiring a separate license for VA Management and Investment
Services.
Crypto Staking Is Now
Available in Dubai through Custody Services
VARA, the authority
responsible for regulating crypto services in Dubai (excluding the Dubai
International Financial Centre), has significantly changed its current
legislation. This amendment allows VASPs licensed as custodians to provide
staking services to their customers from the same legal entity. The provision
of this additional service will not require a separate license for VA
Management and Investment Services but will necessitate specific additional
approval from VARA.
Furthermore,
additional licensing and supervision fees will be payable in connection with
the provision of this new service. This move aligns with the Emirate's broader
strategy to foster innovation and growth in the financial technology sector,
ensuring that regulations are in place to maintain integrity and consumer protection
within the crypto space.
Crypto staking is a process that involves holding a specific cryptocurrency in a digital wallet to support the operations of a blockchain network. It's a form of proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, where the creator of the next block is chosen based on the number of coins held and staked.
It allows individuals to earn additional income by participating in the validation process of transactions in the crypto ecosystem.
From Oil to Crypto
Once entirely
dependent on oil, Dubai now has very limited reserves. Therefore, it has begun
preparations for economic transformation, just like the rest of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), focusing its economy on other sources of income. As a result,
Dubai's GDP is now only 5% dependent on liquid gold. One step towards
independence from oil extraction was the introduction of the first regulations
governing the cryptocurrency market in 2022 and the creation of VARA.
Regulatory
tensions in other parts of the world, including the USA and Europe, have led to
increasing cryptocurrency companies moving to the UAE and Dubai. It cites very
favorable tax conditions and stability, as well as the transparency of local
regulations. The possibility of crypto staking is an additional nod and
incentive towards them.
According
to Alex Chehade, the General Manager of Binance Dubai, the UAE could become the
primary destination for cryptocurrency businesses seeking favorable and
transparent regulations.
Binance and Major Crypto
Exchanges Are Now in Dubai
Last month,
Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, obtained an
operational license for crypto services in Dubai. This week, Komainu, a custody
service provider for crypto assets, announced obtaining a similar license.
"Dubai
has a vibrant digital asset ecosystem and impressive talent pool, and we are
proud to contribute to the growth of this innovative financial hub. Our
presence and desirable regulatory status in the region marks another
differentiator for us as we execute the next phase of our business," Sebastian
Widmann, the Head of Strategy at Komainu, commented.
The local
market also seems to hold substantial promise, as evidenced by retail
investors' enthusiasm in trading activities. The increasing count of engaged
traders in the UAE's FX/CFDs market underscores this trend, with Investment
Trends reporting that the number of traders in these financial instruments
hit an all-time high of 49,000 in 2023.
Source: Investment Trends
In addition
to Binance and Komainu, other leading cryptocurrency companies such as Bitget,
ByBit, and OKX have sought local licenses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This movement reflects a broader pattern among digital asset exchanges to
establish a foothold in the UAE. In a related development, OKX has recently
joined forces with Komainu to enhance the security of institutional crypto
trading.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
KuCoin Rolls Out MiCA-Regulated Crypto Platform Across 29 EU Markets
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Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
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In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
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In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
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▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
