BitPanda crypto exchange steps out of Europe to UAE

BitPanda crypto exchange steps out of Europe to UAE

Bitpanda, a European crypto platform, has obtained an in-principle approval from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), as its first expansion outside of Europe. BitPanda received the in-principle approval only after 8 months since submission.

As per the press release, once officially licensed, Bitpanda will be able to commence operations in the UAE as Bitpanda Broker MENA DMCC.

The expansion follows a series of strategic moves, including the establishment of its Dubai office at the DMCC Crypto Centre earlier this year, onboarding a team of regional experts, and forming key partnerships with financial institutions such as The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (“RAKBANK”) and CoinMENA, one of the UAE’s leading licensed crypto platforms.

Eric Demuth, Co-Founder and CEO of Bitpanda, commented, “In Europe, we have built a reputation as the most trusted and regulated digital asset platform. Now, we are scaling this proven model globally, with Dubai and the UAE serving as our strategic launchpad for international expansion. The opportunities are immense, and we are uniquely positioned to seize them – both as Europe’s leading crypto broker and as a top infrastructure provider in the digital assets space.”

Fabian Reinisch, General Counsel of Bitpanda, added: “Securing VARA’s in-principle approval in under eight months reflects the strength of VARA’s progressive regulatory framework and Bitpanda’s steadfast commitment to compliance and innovation. For over a decade, we have demonstrated that a compliance-first approach is the only path to sustainable and responsible growth in our industry. Now, we are extending this approach to markets beyond Europe.”

As it expands into the Middle East, Bitpanda is taking a decisive step toward a truly global presence, reaffirming its role as a pioneer in driving the adoption of digital assets around the world.

UAE and Bahrain CoinMENA expands its crypto offering with Bitpanda

UAE and Bahrain CoinMENA expands its crypto offering with Bitpanda

CoinMENA B.S.C., a crypto asset platform licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain and sister company CoinMENA FZE, licensed by the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), have expanded the range of crypto assets available on its platform through its partnership with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the leading digital assets infrastructure provider as a liquidity provider. The collaboration will enhance trade efficiency on the platform as well.

CoinMENA Co-Founders Dina Sam’an and Talal Tabbaa said, “We are excited to partner with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, an industry leader that shares our commitment to providing top-tier crypto asset trading services. This collaboration will not only enhance trading efficiency but also fulfil one of the most requested features from our users, enabling us to add new crypto assets more rapidly to meet market demands.”

When fully implemented, CoinMENA will have the ability to integrate the most complete range of crypto assets available on the market to meet the demands of its users safely and securely. By integrating Bitpanda Technology Solutions as a liquidity provider, CoinMENA will enhance trading efficiency, and ensure users receive the best possible prices. These improvements will deliver a smoother and more reliable trading experience, reinforcing CoinMENA’s position as a leading crypto asset service provider in the region.

Nadeem Ladki, Global Head, Bitpanda Technology Solutions, added: “The MENA region is one of the most ambitious and innovative regions in the world when it comes to crypto assets. Bitpanda Technology Solutions provides institutions in the region access to one of the broadest ranges of crypto assets available, in a fully modular way, all with a highly regulated and trusted partner.” 

Both Bitpanda and CoinMENA will collaborate closely with respective regulators to ensure full compliance in all future endeavors. In August 2024 CoinMENA announced that they have achieved a new milestone with crypto, fiat trading volumes surpassing $2 billion.

UAE RAK Bank and Bitpanda to offer digital asset services

UAE RAK Bank and Bitpanda to offer digital asset services

The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (“RAKBANK”), a UAE bank partners with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, a leading digital assets infrastructure provider, to provide a robust platform that will enable UAE residents to effortlessly manage digital assets, subject to UAE Central Bank approval.

As per the announcements, RAKBANK customers will be able to pursue various digital assets use cases unlocking one of the most complete offerings available in the UAE market. This allows banks to participate in the virtual asset economy without needing to develop their own in-house virtual asset capabilities.

Dongjun “DJ” Choi, Group Chief Customer Officer of RAKBANK commented: “We believe digital assets represent one of the future ways for customers to manage their finances more efficiently and securely. This partnership is poised to fill the gap in the market for a trustworthy and regulated banking platform to deal in digital assets. By merging our expertise, we aim to revolutionize the traditional financial landscape for the benefit of our customers, enabling them to explore a broader range of digital assets opportunities.”

Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, CEO of Bitpanda Technology Solutions added: “RAKBANK has a long history of pioneering crypto innovation in the UAE, and we want to support their ambitions. Bitpanda Technology Solutions is fully modular, enabling us to tailor products to our partners’ needs. This partnership exemplifies the importance of that flexibility. Together, we will transform crypto access for millions in the UAE and lay the groundwork for future innovation.”

Bitpanda Technology Solutions stands as one of the most scalable digital assets infrastructure providers globally. As a highly regulated leader in the industry, it boasts a worldwide footprint and is already trusted by some of the world’s foremost financial institutions, banks, neobanks, and fintechs.

In May 2024, Bitpanda, Austria’s first unicorn company, announced plans to expand to the Middle East, with the launch of Bitpanda MENA with offices in DMCC Crypto Center. Bitpanda will match the region’s ambitions and provide the infrastructure necessary to power future trading growth and unlock digital assets for millions of investors.

At the time Bitpanda noted that Banks, fintech, (neo-)brokers and crypto-native companies in the region will be able to partner with Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS) to launch their own trading solutions powered by Bitpanda’s infrastructure in as little as 3 months once Bitpanda MENA has finalized obtaining its local license later this year.

BitPanda already partners with several of Europe’s largest banks, and currently provides the trading infrastructure for over 20 million customers across Europe.

BitPanda holds 5 million users amidst projections that digital assets in UAE will grow by 8 percent

BitPanda holds 5 million users amidst projections that digital assets in UAE will grow by 8 percent

Bitpanda.com, the crypto broker platform of European fintech unicorn Bitpanda, which recently announced its expansion into the UAE with a new office, now has 5 million retail users. This comes amidst projections that UAE’s digital assets market is projected to grow by 8.01% and reach a market volume of $616.80 million by 2028.

BitPanda Growth

After achieving a record-setting revenue of over $108 million in Q1 2024, Bitpanda added nearly 500,000 new users in Q2 as European investors have increasingly begun looking to take advantage of safe and secure digital assets trading.

BitPanda acquired several new licenses with major regulators including BaFin and Bitpanda Technology Solutions (a relaunch of its B2B-focused white-label solution). Additionally, the company also formed several industry-leading partnerships with well-known institutions like Deutsche Bank, N26, LBBW, and Raiffeisen.

Interest from MENA

Bitpanda has seen a significant rise in investment interest from not only Europe but also the Middle East. The UAE, with its digital assets marketed projected to grow by 8.01% and reach a market volume of $616.80 million by 2028, has been a key catalyst in Bitpanda’s recent decision to expand; with DMCC licensing,

the company launched Bitpanda MENA in early May at the most recent edition of the Dubai Fintech Summit to cater to the growing demand for digital assets that it is observing from the country and the wider region. Although this offering is not available to retail investors at the moment, Bitpanda already boasts the title of Europe’s leading crypto company and this expansion is further strengthening its global position as well.

Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO of Bitpanda stated, “We have the right products, a proven history of working with regulators, immense trust from our users and partners – including Deutsche Bank, LBBW and FC Bayern Munich – and we remain absolutely focused on growth. It took us five years to reach our first million users; we were able to achieve this same feat in the past 12 months alone, with more than 500,000 users joining us in just the last three months. We know we’re on the right track, and as we approach our 10th anniversary later this year, I know we’re going to have a lot to celebrate.”

Walid BenOthman, Managing Director, concluded: “While we are proud of our progress in Europe and the overall success we’ve achieved over the past decade, this growth has not been rooted in complacency. That is why we are now targeting the Middle East, to further strengthen our global standing as an unparalleled fintech. With a 25% surge in users over the past 12 months, we are confident in the strength of the MENA region and aspire to achieve similar success over the next year. We look forward to what the future holds.”