Gate crypto exchange licensed by UAE regulator

Gate crypto exchange licensed by UAE regulator

Gate Group, which operates Gateio crypto exchange announced that its UAE subsidiary Gate Technology FZE known as Gate Dubai has obtained a VASP License under the regulation and supervision of VARA in Dubai to provide crypto exchange services and is permitted to serve institutional investors, qualified investors, and retail investors.

Dr. Han, Gate Group’s Founder and CEO, commented, “We have always adhered to a compliance-first strategy, and Dubai is undoubtedly one of the most forward-looking jurisdictions in the global crypto industry. Obtaining VARA’s full operational license is a critical step in Gate Group’s expansion across the Middle East and the world.We look forward to growing alongside Dubai’s ecosystem and driving further prosperity in the local digital economy.”

The crypto exchange is also launching its office and expanding its local team.

As per the announcement Gate Dubai will allow users to initiate crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto and vice versa trades with other users as the counterparties to these transactions.

Gate crypto exchange has also sought licenses and received approvals in Lithuania, Argentina, Malta, Italy, Gibraltar, Bahamas, and Hong Kong. Last year, Gate Group also completed the acquisition of Japan-licensed exchange Coin Master, further broadening its international compliance network.

UAE OKX crypto exchange launches $1.3 million reward campaign

UAE OKX crypto exchange launches $1.3 million reward campaign

OKX, the global crypto platform regulated in the UAE, has launched one of the biggest crypto trading campaigns that the UAE has ever seen. The total reward pool is 5 million AED equivalent to $1.36 million dollars.

As per the campaign all users have to do is sign up, link their UAE Bank account and trade. Individual prize awards will reach up to 50,000 AED equivalent to $13,600, while new users will also receive AED 250 on their first deposit of AED 250, and AED 500 on completing their first trade of AED 500.

There are also daily rewards of up to 100 USDT for every 1,000 USDT traded.

This is not the first campaign to be launched this year in UAE by either crypto exchanges or even crypto savvy digital banks such as Liv Bank which recently also launched its crypto campaign, however this is one of the biggest pool rewards.

As the scene in the UAE becomes more competitive with many licensed crypto exchanges competing for clients, and with the entrance of banks into the crypto scene, more campaigns, services and offerings will be on the table.

M2 partners with crypto mining solution provider NiceHash

M2 partners with crypto mining solution provider NiceHash

UAE regulated M2, a cryptocurrency exchange and investment platform, has partnered with NiceHash, a global crypto mining solution provider and hashrate marketplace serving over one million miners globally.

Through this partnership, M2 Global Wealth Limited (M2GWL) will provide miners worldwide with seamless access to flexible lending solutions in USDT, allowing them to unlock the full potential of their Bitcoin holdings. By collateralizing their BTC, miners can now access convenient USDT loans, enabling them to scale their operations, cover expenses, and optimize profitability, without selling their valuable assets.

Miners can unlock liquidity by using their Bitcoin as collateral and enjoy flexible repayment options, including allocating a portion of their hash rate. With seamless integration to NiceHash’s technology, Bitcoin miners can effortlessly manage both their mining pool rewards and their open loans through a single intuitive dashboard, automatically directing earnings toward loan repayment—eliminating complexity and ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Sudhu Arumugam, Chief Product Officer, M2, added, “At M2, we understand the challenges miners face in maintaining liquidity while preserving their Bitcoin investments. Our partnership with NiceHash represents a shared vision of empowering miners with smarter financial solutions that allow them to grow their businesses without sacrificing their Bitcoin holdings. This is just the beginning—we are committed to continuously innovating and delivering financial services that support the crypto mining ecosystem in meaningful ways.”

By powering the tech behind M2’s lending solutions, NiceHash helps bring a world-first solution to financing big mining operations and expansion.

In February 2025, M2 partnered with Transak, a payments infrastructure provider for digital assets like cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and NFTs, integrating its solution with M2, UAE regulated crypto exchange. This streamlined integration seeks to lower barriers to market participation, while ensuring strict levels of security and compliance. Through Transak, verified M2 users will be able to conveniently make fiat-to-crypto purchases for 30+ of tokens and cryptocurrencies using their credit and debit cards, M2’S OTC service will continue to be available.

WEEX Crypto exchange launches headquarters in UAE

WEEX Crypto exchange launches headquarters in UAE

WEEX crypto exchange, which has over 5 million customers, has set up its headquarters in Dubai UAE with 600 employees already working there and plans to add 50 more over the next two years. The unregulated exchange has chosen the UAE as it expands into the MENA region.

As per the press release, the WEEX crypto exchange will not be serving UAE customers until it receives its VARA ( Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority) license.

Andrew Weiner, Vice President of WEEX, noted that setting up headquarters in the UAE is part of WEEX’s rapid expansion into the MENA region. He states,“ We plan to expand our team further in Dubai over the next one to two years, adding 30 to 50 new hires to better support local operations and service deployment. Dubai will serve as the central hub for the platform’s global expansion, driving localized operations and team-building efforts to enhance WEEX’s global strength and influence.

WEEX already serves 6.2 million customers across 130+ countries. The crypto exchange has a daily trading volume of over $5 billion and supports more than 1,700 trading pairs. WEEX also boasts of a 1,000 BTC Protection Fund to protect users’ assets.

WEEX is currently participating at and sponsoring TOKEN2049 Dubai event.

UAE has witnessed a growth in the number of crypto exchanges that have chosen the country to house their offices or headquarters. Binance, OKX, Crypto.com among other including CoinMENA and BitOasis all have a strong presence in the country.

Recently the UAE announced not only its stablecoin regulations but also the launch of a Digital Dirham CBDC for the retail sector, while banking entities such as Emirates NBD foray into the crypto scene through subsidiaries like Liv Digital Bank.

UAE based Dohrnii and Blynex crypto exchange bury the hatchet

UAE based Dohrnii and Blynex crypto exchange bury the hatchet

After a few days of heated, he said she said drama with accusations of mis conduct attributed to both parties, UAE based Dohrnii Labs which seeks to empower financial education with blockchain and gamified learning and its utility token, DHN which it notes powers the Dohrnii ecosystem, and Blynex crypto exchange announced in a general post that all is resolved and everything is water under the bridge.

In an X post, they announced that thy were pleased to have successfully resolved all outstanding issues and have reached a mutually beneficial agreement.

The statement read, ” Following constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to long-term collaboration and innovation in the blockchain and fintech sectors, both parties have agreed on terms that close the chapter on recent disagreements. The resolution underscores the professionalism and forward-thinking approach of both teams, reaffirming their mutual respect and focus on delivering value to their respective communities.”

It added, that with this agreement, all prior concerns are considered settled, and both organizations reaffirm their commitment to professionalism, user trust, and the advancement of blockchain-based financial solutions.

In addition, the parties agreed to mutual cooperation and Blynex will provide self loan dashboard and staking for DHN Team as a sign of support for the project.

This comes after Dohrnii Labs took legal and police action again Blynex, an unregulated crypto exchange with a presence in the UAE. According to Dohrnii Labs, the company filed a police report against Blynex while attempting to withdraw 4000 DHN tokens were blocked from doing so, and also noted that Blynex had liquidated 8,600 of their DHN collateral selling it for 148,160.64 USDT. The company claimed that this was done without authorization, and demanded the immediate release of the 4,000 DHN and the return of the full USDT amount generate from their collateral.

With the end to the saga, all Dohrnii’s X posts accusing Blynx have been deleted.

Binance participates at Dubai’s Token 2049 with its clubhouse

Binance participates at Dubai’s Token 2049 with its clubhouse

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, a strategic partner of TOKEN2049, taking place in Dubai from 30 April to 1 May 2025, is bringing back its Binance Clubhouse at Madinat Jumeirah.

As per the press release, the exclusive space will serve as a hotspot for the crypto community, driving the conversation on responsible innovation and global adoption, setting the standard for what’s next in blockchain technology. It will offer attendees a co-working and networking space, insightful talks and special guests from key industry voices and Binance representatives, games, giveaways, and experiences. Binance Clubhouse will be the hub for those who are not only seasoned enthusiasts but also curious newcomers looking to collaborate with industry leaders.

Binance is the title sponsor of this year’s TOKEN2049, further solidifying its leadership in the Web3 space and the region’s expanding crypto landscape. Binance CEO, Richard Teng, will also be on the ground at the Binance Clubhouse, engaging with the community and sharing insights on the future of the industry.

“We are thrilled to reunite with TOKEN2049, bringing back our much loved Binance Clubhouse. With over 1,500 events annually, Binance Clubhouse remains a cornerstone of our vision, empowering the next chapter of Web3. Designed for both industry veterans and curious newcomers, this space offers something for everyone – connection, impactful conversation, growth, and inspiration.” Rachel Conlan, Binance Chief Marketing Officer

Bybit crypto exchange hosts trading workshop with UAE University of Wollongong

Bybit crypto exchange hosts trading workshop with UAE University of Wollongong

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, which has an in principle approval from VARA in Dubai, has partnered exclusively with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) to host a Demo Trading Challenge & Workshop at UOWD campus. This initiative equipped students from Business Analysis, Finance, Accounting, and other business-related disciplines with practical trading knowledge, enhanced their understanding of cryptocurrency markets, and bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world trading strategies.

UOWD, the UAE’s first international Australian university, is recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and industry collaboration. Accredited by both the UAE Ministry of Education and Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), UOWD has played a key role in developing future business and finance leaders.

The workshop provided participants with hands-on experience using Bybit’s demo trading platform, allowing them to navigate market fluctuations in real time while learning key strategies from industry experts. The event culminated in a competitive trading challenge, where students applied their newly acquired knowledge in a dynamic, risk-free environment.

Attendees also gained insights from a lineup of distinguished speakers alongside Bybit’s senior product managers specializing in trading bots, copy trading, and demo trading. Their expertise gave students a deeper understanding of spot and contract trading processes, market data analysis, and risk management.

“At Bybit, we believe that financial literacy and hands-on experience are key to unlocking opportunities in the digital economy,” said Phoebe Peng, Head of Organization Development at Bybit. “Through this collaboration with UOWD, we empowered the next generation of professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving world of cryptocurrency trading.”

Crypto.com’s new license gives retail clients USD fiat rails through Standard and Chartered Bank

Crypto.com’s new license gives retail clients USD fiat rails through Standard and Chartered Bank


Crypto.com announced that Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority has issued the crypto exchange a limited license to offer derivatives in the UAE as well as enable retail users to access USD fiat rails for depositing and withdrawing USD from their crypto account through Standard and Chartered Bank.

Crypto derivatives are financial contracts whose value is derived from the price of an underlying cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. These instruments allow traders to speculate on future price movements without owning the underlying assets. The four major types of derivative contracts are options, forwards, futures and swaps.

With this limited license, the crypto exchange’s regional entity plans to initiate offering various derivatives products, including futures, perpetual swap contracts, and CFDs. CFD stands for contract for difference, a type of derivative product that you can use to speculate on the future direction of a market’s price.

These services will be available to eligible institutions globally, with qualified investors to follow at a later date. Additionally, through this limited license, all of the crypto exchange’s retail users can access USD fiat rails for depositing and withdrawing USD from their Crypto.com account via Standard Chartered.

“We are aggressively transforming and evolving Crypto.com to provide users around the world all of the financial technology tools they are looking for in one place,” said Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com. “With this approval from VARA for a limited license, we are taking a significant and exciting step forward in our pursuit.”

A few days earlier the exchange also announced that it had partnered with an AI Blockchain tech firm in UAE called Tawasal Al Khaleej. Tawasal has developed a mobile messaging application that is currently being utilized by UAE governmental entities and other industries within the UAE. Tawasal AlKhaleej will use crypto.com as their exclusive crypto partner of choice.

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

UAE SCA grants Bybit in principle crypto exchange license

Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has received its second in principle license approval in the UAE from The Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE. This is its second in principle license approval as it has previously received one from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The in principle approval (IPA) will allow Bybit to set up a virtual asset platform operation within the UAE. Bybit is also in the final steps to receive its fully operational license soon. This milestone marks a significant step in Bybit’s ongoing mission to provide a secure, stable, and compliant platform for crypto traders in the region.

As per the press release, this IPA underscores the crypto exchange’s commitment to upholding the highest regulatory and compliance standards as it works toward full operational approval from the SCA. This authorization moves the exchange closer to offering a broad range of digital asset services to both retail and institutional clients in the UAE.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, commented on this milestone, “We are honored to have received the IPA from SCA. This approval marks a crucial step in our journey to providing secure and transparent crypto trading solutions. Bybit remains dedicated to working hand-in-hand with regulators to foster a compliant and innovative digital asset ecosystem to both retail and institutional investors in the UAE.”

Beyond UAE, crypto exchange continues to secure regulatory approvals worldwide, expanding its presence in key jurisdictions such as India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, etc, further reinforcing its regulatory commitment. These licenses enable Bybit to expand its reach while maintaining the highest security and compliance standards for its users worldwide.

This in principle license comes days after Bybit was hacked for $1.4 billion dollars.

UAE regulated GCEX crypto exchange launches new crypto tool

UAE regulated GCEX crypto exchange launches new crypto tool

GC Exchange FZE (GCEX), part of the GCEX Group, a UAE regulated crypto exchange offering trading technology has launched XplorAllocate, a multi-asset crypto tool designed to help fund managers and professional traders allocate trades more efficiently, accurately, and transparently across crypto spot, crypto derivatives, forex CFDs, and traditional financial products.

GCEX’s XplorAllocate addresses this by streamlining trade execution and allocation, resulting in improved accuracy and enhanced compliance. Instead of managing individual client accounts separately, fund managers and professional traders can now execute a single block trade, which is then automatically allocated across their clients based on their proportional share of the total investment pool – reducing the time spent on this task without having to use a PAMM, MAM, or similar tools.

Mehtap Önder, Managing Director, GCEX MENA commented, “Traders need tools that make their lives easier, not more complicated. With GCEX’s XplorAllocate, we’re providing a seamless, automated solution that takes care of the heavy lifting, removing the complexity of manually executing trades for each client, saving time, reducing errors, and ensuring that every allocation adheres to regulatory and investment policy requirements. Whether you’re trading crypto derivatives or traditional financial products, this tool simplifies the allocation process so you can focus on what really matters – executing your strategy.”

With real-time visibility, traders using GCEX’s XplorAllocate gain full transparency and a clear audit trail. The tool’s customisable allocation logic provides flexibility and ensures that trades are distributed accurately based on portfolio needs. It allows users to allocate by percentage or share size and combine multiple orders into custom average prices.

XplorAllocate is part of GCEX’s broader strategy to enhance its institutional-grade XplorDigital solutions for institutional and professional clients. XplorDigital features innovative plug-and-play solutions, ‘Crypto in a Box’ and ‘Broker in a Box’.