Bitpanda secures VARA Licence, expands digital assets platform to UAE
The licence enables Bitpanda to offer its platform to UAE investors, providing access to over 500 virtual assets – claimed to be the most extensive offering available.
'Bitpanda is built on the principle that virtual assets should be secure and accessible. With our VARA licence, we are bringing that vision to the UAE, ensuring investors and financial institutions have access to a fully compliant digital asset platform. This is just the beginning of our expansion beyond Europe. We are ready to grow in a region that embraces innovation and regulation equally,' Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO at Bitpanda Group said.
Bitpanda obtains broker-dealer licence from VARA, marks expansion into UAE digital assets market
The company has established a permanent office at the DMCC Crypto Centre and assembled a team of regional experts to develop market-specific products. Investor onboarding is set to commence in the coming months.
'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 licence allows us to bring our trusted, regulated platform to a new audience. We obtained approval in record time and I believe that is a testament to the decade experience of our teams working in the digital asset space and our commitment to the highest regulatory standards,' Fabian Reinisch, General Counsel at Bitpanda Group added.
Bitpanda brings a decade of regulatory experience to the UAE market, holding multiple licences across Europe, including:
MiCAR licence from German regulator BaFin
Registration with the UK's FCA
PSD2 E-money licence
MiFID II licence
VASP registrations in multiple markets
The company's regulatory-first approach has established it as a trusted platform for secure and compliant virtual asset investing.
As part of its international expansion strategy, Bitpanda remains focused on delivering a regulated, secure, and seamless investment experience for both individual and institutional investors in the UAE.
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