Vienna-based cryptocurrency exchange operator Bitpanda has successfully obtained a Broker-Dealer license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This milestone allows Bitpanda to extend its virtual asset platform to investors across the UAE, offering access to over 500 digital assets.
The VARA license represents Bitpanda’s inaugural fully licensed expansion outside of Europe.
The UAE has rapidly positioned itself as a global center for digital assets, with VARA providing clear regulations and robust investor protections. Bitpanda aims to align with this vision, setting a benchmark for security, compliance, and user-friendly virtual asset investments in the region.
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO at Bitpanda Group, stated:
“Bitpanda is built on the foundation that virtual assets should be both secure and accessible. With our VARA license, we are bringing this commitment to the UAE, ensuring investors and financial institutions benefit from a fully compliant digital asset platform. This marks the beginning of our journey beyond Europe, and we are prepared to expand in a region that embraces both innovation and regulatory clarity.”
Nadeem Ladki, Global Head of Bitpanda Technology Solutions, added:
“Securing the VARA license is a key milestone for us, marking just the start of our regional expansion. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to delivering innovative, secure solutions to meet the increasing demand for digital asset services in the UAE. This is only the beginning, with more exciting developments to come.”
Bitpanda has already established a permanent presence in Dubai at the DMCC Crypto Centre, with a team of regional experts dedicated to developing tailored solutions for the UAE market. Investor onboarding is set to commence in the coming months.
Fabian Reinisch, General Counsel at Bitpanda Group, commented:
“The UAE is among the most progressive markets for digital assets, with VARA setting a new benchmark for innovation and investor protection. This license enables us to introduce our trusted, regulated platform to a fresh audience. Securing approval in record time reflects our decade of expertise in the digital asset space and our unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence.”
The company highlighted that this latest license follows years of proactive regulatory engagement. Bitpanda has consistently led the industry in Europe, holding multiple licenses, including a MiCAR license from the German regulator BaFin, registration with the UK’s FCA, a PSD2 E-money license, a MiFID II license, and VASP registrations across various markets. This regulatory-first strategy has cemented Bitpanda’s reputation as one of the most reliable platforms for secure and compliant virtual asset investments.
As Bitpanda continues its global expansion, its primary focus remains on delivering a fully regulated, secure, and seamless investment experience. The VARA license paves the way for further regional growth, ensuring that both individual and institutional investors in the UAE gain access to a world-class digital asset platform.
About Bitpanda Founded in Vienna in 2014, Bitpanda is a leading European digital asset platform. It offers an extensive selection of over 2,800 digital assets, including more than 550 cryptocurrencies, along with stocks, ETFs, precious metals, and commodities. As a prominent fintech unicorn, Bitpanda is trusted by over six million users and numerous institutional partners. The company holds multiple regulatory licenses across several jurisdictions and has a well-established track record of collaborating with local authorities to ensure the safety and security of assets. This stringent regulatory compliance makes Bitpanda one of the safest and most highly regulated trading platforms in the industry. In addition to its headquarters in Vienna, the company operates offices in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, and Bucharest.
