Dubai opens door to crypto derivatives trading

The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in the UAE has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto or virtual assets exchange-traded derivatives. The new Rulebook Version 2.1 is effective immediately for all the VASPs registered and licensed in Dubai, UAE.

First globally, VARA has developed a VA derivatives under a purpose-built, enforceable rulebook. The framework allows Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to offer derivatives products within a clearly defined regulatory perimeter subject to explicit authorization and compliance with strict operational and conduct requirements.

According to the VARA press release, this comes as demand for derivatives exposure in virtual asset markets grows. VARA’s framework has established binging requirements across five areas, that include client suitability and classification requirements, particularly for higher-risk products, margin leverage, and liquidation controls to manage market exposure, segregation of client assets and accounts to mitigate systemic and counterparty risks, enhanced disclosure and communication obligations, aligned with VARA’s Marketing Regulations and regulatory intervention powers, enabling VARA to act decisively in response to market stress or misconduct.

Ruben Bombardi, General Counsel at VARA, said, “Derivatives are a natural next step in the evolution of virtual asset markets, but they demand a higher standard of governance. VARA’s framework gives licensed providers a clear path to offering these products responsibly, while giving market participants confidence that Dubai’s virtual asset ecosystem operates under rules that are rigorous, enforceable, and designed to protect them. This is the best way to build a market that will stand the test of time.”

There are already crypto exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, OKX, Deribit, and BitMEX that offer crypto derivative products such as futures, options, and perpetual swaps. They allow trading BTC, ETH, and other assets.

OKX, Bybit, Deribit, and Binance are already regulated crypto exchanges in the UAE and in the Dubai VARA regime.

According to Amina Bank, the cryptocurrency derivatives market reached a total trading volume of approximately $85.70 trillion in 2025. The daily average turnover was around $264.5 billion. Derivatives account for over 75% of total crypto trading volume, dominated by perpetual swaps and futures.

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