UAE crypto exchange Arbeat receives in principle approval in UAE

Locally built Arbeat, a UAE-born digital assets group, offering crypto exchange services catered to instituational investors, has received in principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). Once licensed it will be able to operate both a crypto brokerage and crypto exchange licensed VASP within the VARA ecosystem.

According to Khaled Guerbouz, CEO of Arbeat on Linked In, “Arbeat has reached an important regulatory step in our licensing process. We have received In-Principle Approval (Non-Operational) from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for our application to offer Virtual Asset Exchange Services and Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services.”

He adds that this is reflective of the progress Arbeat has made under VARA’s supervision and it shows their strong regulatory compliance and highest institutional standards.

Arbeat is catering to the institutional market as part of UAE’s digital economy strategy.

Guerbouz noted, “We want to take part and help guide the responsible addition of digital assets to the UAE’s financial system. We are focused on finishing the last regulatory steps and will start our regulated activities after receiving a full license.”

Speaking to Lara on the Block Guerbouz explained, ” We founded Arbeat to rethink what an exchange can be. We are proud to reach this milestone as a UAE-Born entity progressing within the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority framework. Our exchange and brokers activities mark the first step of a broader regulated infrastructure we are building to deliver digital asset solutions to companies across the UAE.”

Arbeat will be competing with home grown crypto exchanges such as CoinMENA, BitOasis, OFZA, and others. It comes into play as M2 crypto exchange in Abu Dhabi closed it operations earlier this year.

Earlier this week, Amber received its license from VARA to offer crypto brokerage and investment services.

Updated with quote on April 16th 2026