---
title: "Bybit Secures Dubai VARA VASP Licence for Spot Exchange Services"
description: "Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted Bybit Fintech FZE approval to serve retail, qualified, and institutional investors."
url: https://basisdesk.news/news/bybit-secures-dubai-vara-vasp-licence
published: 2026-10-23T04:31:49.004Z
modified: 2026-10-23T04:31:49.004Z
section: Regulation & Policy
author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified)
sentiment: neutral
tickers: []
tags: [bybit, vara, dubai, regulation, vasp, licensing]
license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice.
---

# Bybit Secures Dubai VARA VASP Licence for Spot Exchange Services

Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted Bybit Fintech FZE approval to serve retail, qualified, and institutional investors.

## At a glance

- **What happened:** Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted Bybit Fintech FZE an active VASP license covering spot exchange services.
- **Why it matters:** The license formally authorizes Bybit to serve retail, qualified, and institutional market participants under Dubai's regulatory framework.
- **Who is affected:** Crypto investors and institutional market participants in Dubai using Bybit's exchange platform.
- **Takes effect:** 2026/06/20
- **What's next:** Bybit plans to seek subsequent regulatory approval from VARA to expand its offering into derivatives trading.
- **Status:** in-effect
- **Primary source:** [Bybit Fintech FZE (Bybit) - VARA](https://www.vara.ae/en/licenses-and-register/public-register/bybit-fintech-fze-bybit) — vara.ae

## Key points

- Bybit Fintech FZE secured an active VASP license from Dubai's VARA to operate spot exchange services [1], [2].
- The regulatory approval allows Bybit to serve retail, qualified, and institutional investors from its Dubai base [1].
- Bybit plans to seek regulatory approval to offer derivatives trading in Dubai alongside its spot services [2].

## Editorial remark

- **Context:** Bybit established its international headquarters in Dubai in 2022 and has been aligning its operations with VARA's regulatory regime while securing localized approvals across Europe, Africa, and Latin America throughout 2026.
- **Impact:** Retail and institutional crypto traders in Dubai gain regulated access to Bybit's spot exchange services under VARA's legal and supervisory framework.
- **Watch:** Bybit's formal regulatory application and timeline for obtaining VARA approval to launch derivatives trading in Dubai.

Bybit Fintech FZE has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to operate exchange services [1], [2]. The authorization permits the exchange to offer spot trading across retail, qualified, and institutional investor segments in the emirate [1], [2].

Public registry records from VARA indicate that the VASP license (reference VL/26/10/003) carries active status and was formally issued on June 20, 2026 [1]. Operating from its base at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Bybit operates under CMA registration number CMA-VASP-1000000-0006 [1].

## Expansion Strategy and Global Footprint

The licensing milestone comes after Bybit set up its global headquarters in Dubai in 2022 [2]. Bybit Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Peter Loo stated that the company plans to seek further regulatory permissions in the future to broaden its Dubai offering into derivatives, which represent a core segment of the platform's worldwide trading activity [2].

The Dubai authorization follows a series of international registrations for the platform. During an October 2026 presentation, Bybit Co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou noted that the company secured five new regulatory licenses and approvals throughout 2026, spanning the European Union, the Cayman Islands, Indonesia, South Africa, and El Salvador [2].

## FAQ

**What services is Bybit licensed to offer under VARA?**

Bybit Fintech FZE is licensed for exchange services covering spot trading for institutional, qualified, and retail investors.

**Does Bybit have permission to offer crypto derivatives in Dubai?**

Not under the current license. Bybit has indicated it intends to apply for regulatory permissions for derivatives at a later date.

## Sources

1. [Bybit Fintech FZE (Bybit) - VARA](https://www.vara.ae/en/licenses-and-register/public-register/bybit-fintech-fze-bybit) — vara.ae, 2026-10-23
2. [Bybit Secures VARA Licence for Exchange Services in Dubai](https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-secures-vara-licence-for-exchange-services-in-dubai-302916802.html) — prnewswire.co.uk, 2026-10-22

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Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai