Bybit Secures Full Spot Trading License in Dubai

Crypto exchange Bybit has secured a full license to operate spot trading services in Dubai. The authorization was granted by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, known as VARA. The regulator's public registry now lists the license as active for the company's local entity.

This new permit covers services for retail, qualified, and institutional investors. The company previously held only a preliminary approval that did not allow for operational functionality in the region. The prior license did not authorize the firm to offer direct services to Dubai-based clients.

Despite this achievement, Bybit must still complete additional steps in the launch process required by the regulatory authority. The company has not disclosed a specific date for the start of spot trading operations. It must meet specific operational requirements before granting access to users.

Bybit already held a Virtual Asset Platform Operator license granted by the Securities and Commodities Authority of the United Arab Emirates in October 2025. However, that federal authorization excluded Dubai from its service jurisdiction. The new VARA license closes this regulatory gap for the exchange in the emirate.

Expanding licensing in jurisdictions with clear rules tends to reduce institutional risk and increase trust in the digital asset ecosystem. This move may boost global Bitcoin liquidity by integrating regulated markets in strategic financial hubs.