OKX, a UAE regulated and global crypto exchange has launched the first regulated retail derivatives products, making it the first global exchange to offer retail futures, perpetual contracts, and options within a regulated VARA Pilot framework.

As per the press release, the newly introduced regulated crypto retail derivatives offering provides customers with enhanced flexibility and a broader range of trading strategies across different market conditions, marking the first time such crypto derivatives have been made accessible to retail investors in the UAE under a regulated structure.

“This represents a pivotal moment for both OKX and the UAE’s broader digital asset ecosystem,” said Rifad Mahasneh, CEO, OKX MENA. “By launching the first fully regulated retail derivatives offering in the UAE, we are both reinforcing our long-term commitment to responsible innovation and regulatory alignment, as well as listening to feedback from our customers, who have been asking for this type of offering in the UAE. The UAE has emerged as a global model for how thoughtful regulation can unlock access while prioritizing investor protection.”

Whether navigating volatility or seeking to hedge existing positions, customers can now access futures contracts, perpetual contracts, and options with up to 5x leverage, in accordance with local regulatory guidelines. These tools empower retail traders to respond more effectively to market trends, manage risk with greater precision, and tailor their strategies to both bullish and bearish environments, all within a secure, compliant, and high-performance trading environment.

“Good regulation is not a constraint, it is an imperative within our industry,” added Mahasneh. “The UAE has created an environment where innovation and compliance go hand in hand. This has enabled OKX to introduce sophisticated products like derivatives to retail users in a responsible and secure manner.”