Coinbase-Owned Deribit Gets a VARA Broker Dealer License in Dubai
Deribit Accelerates Regulated Spot Trading in Dubai
Coinbase-owned crypto derivatives exchange Deribit has been issued a Broker Dealer License by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai. Under the license, client spot trading orders will now be routed to Coinbase Exchange for execution, maintaining the trading experience and infrastructure used by Deribit’s clients.
According to Deribit, the new license will allow clients to place limit orders and benefit from trading against a centralized order book on Coinbase Exchange. The company introduced spot trading services in Dubai in January 2025 under its VARA Exchange Services License, and the new licensure significantly enhances its trading services.
Deribit Extends Trading to Coinbase Exchange Liquidity
Deribit’s new license will provide greater liquidity and market access to thousands of digital assets traded on Coinbase Exchange. Although the trading execution process will change, clients will continue to trade on Deribit’s user interface and platform. Deribit assured clients that the new execution model will not affect the trading of assets, which will still be listed on Deribit’s internal spot order book.
Like other Deribit services, Coinbase’s acquisitions strengthen its derivatives ecosystem. Deribit has expanded its spot service. Collateral can be used for derivatives on Deribit’s trading platform, within the limits of regulatory frameworks.
The Varana Broker Dealer License is one of the first of many operational offerings anticipated from Coinbase’s merger with Deribit. Coinbase claims the integration joins Deribit’s derivatives platform with Coinbase Exchange’s liquidity and asset offerings.
Senior Director and Head of International Derivatives of Coinbase, Luuk Strijers, said the license enables Deribit customers to enjoy improved liquidity while using the same trading platform.
The merger cements Coinbase’s Earn, Serve, Trade strategy by consolidating regulated corporate trading platforms across continental capital markets.
Deribit’s move to set up its Dubai headquarters and operate under VARA in early 2025 enhanced the emirate’s status as a leading jurisdiction for crypto regulations. Deribit was one of the early derivatives platforms to receive regulatory approvals from the DAVR (Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority), a sign of the emirate’s commitment to creating a structured digital asset market.
Dubai’s efforts to provide a framework for innovation while maintaining customer protection has enabled the emirate to dominate the cryptocurrency industry. The VARA license is a preferred option by most global exchanges aiming for regulated access to the Middle East.
Coinbase Adding International Crypto Markets
Coinbase has ventured beyond Dubai when it comes to the international expansion of its crypto services. The company scored approvals in Abu Dhabi to provide investment arrangements, as well as custody services, and are positioning themselves to leverage blockchain and tokenized assets.
Coinbase has also been pushing for expansion when it comes to trading products in the U.K. Even more, Coinbase is offering, for the first time, U.S. stock trading products to eligible traders. These products and services show the expansion of Coinbase’s interweaving of traditional and crypto markets and infrastructure.
Coinbase is showing commitment to gaining market share when it comes to trading services and infrastructure by offering improved liquidity and assets. It is doing so with the recent granting of Deribit’s new VARA Broker Dealer Licence.
