NorthStake a firm which offers safe, compliant and secure investment in Digital Assets for institutional investors as well as crypto staking and trading services has applied and received a preliminary approval for a license from Dubai’s virtual asset regulatory authority (VARA) for a license.
The news which came out on “Block Works” noted that such a license would allow the company to offer crypto custody services, custodial staking to institutional investors in the UAE.
Northstake CEO and Founder Jesper Johansen told the Block,” UAE is becoming a global frontrunner in virtual assets. Our ambition is to contribute to the growth of the crypto ecosystem in the UAE, leveraging our expertise and innovative solutions in digital asset investments to support the region’s financial institutions and our local partners on innovative digital asset products.”
Johansen also made the announcement on LinkedIn, “NORTHSTAKE has gained initial approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority. Our ambition is to contribute to the growth of the crypto ecosystem in the UAE, leveraging our expertise and innovative solutions in digital asset investments to support the region’s financial institutions and our local partners on innovative digital asset products.”
The move comes after Northstake raised about $3 million to bolster its staking products for institutions. The company, also partnered with Coinify to serve the firm’s institutional and high net worth clients.
In a LinkedIn post made 11 months ago, Jesper Johansen stated, “We continue to develop NORTHSTAKE in Abu Dhabi and Dubai by building partnerships in the region. Today we met Mubadala and we are very excited to see how digital assets will continue to grow in the region. At NORTHSTAKE, we are committed to serve institutional clients on their digital asset portfolio.”
Over the past months VARA has licensed over 21 VASPs including Komainu, HexTrust and others. Most recently Crypto.com became the first global crypto exchange to receive a full license. The UAE has become one of the leading hubs for regulated VASP entities.