Payward secures final regulatory approval for Kraken's UAE launch

Kraken: Kraken is a major cryptocurrency exchange providing spot, margin, and other digital asset trading services to retail and institutional clients worldwide. Its parent Payward recently secured full regulatory approval in Dubai, positioning Kraken for an imminent launch of UAE operations with AED-denominated trading and related services. The platform continues to expand its regulated presence across international markets. Payward: Payward operates as a unified financial infrastructure platform and serves as the parent company of the Kraken exchange. In October 2026 it received Full Market Approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), completing the final licensing stage for operations in the UAE. This authorization enables Payward to function as a regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider for retail, professional, and institutional users. Regional Expansion: The UAE continues to attract global crypto platforms seeking local regulatory oversight to serve regional clients with on-ramps in local currency. Regulatory Framework: Dubai's VARA has established a clear licensing process for virtual asset service providers that includes preliminary and full market approval stages.