October 13, 2026

5 min

WhiteBIT Receives In-Principle Approval from Dubai’s VARA, Advancing Its Expansion into the Middle East

The approval marks a key step in WhiteBIT’s regulated expansion into the UAE

Dubai, UAE – WB Fintech Development FZE, operating under the WhiteBIT brand and part of W Group, has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The IPA is a conditional milestone in VARA’s licensing process and does not yet authorise WhiteBIT to operate or serve clients. Subject to obtaining the full licence and meeting all regulatory requirements, WhiteBIT intends to launch regulated virtual-asset services for eligible clients in the UAE.

The UAE has become one of the world’s most important markets for digital assets. Dubai was among the first cities to create a regulator dedicated entirely to the sector, with clear rules on how crypto companies must operate, protect clients and manage risk. For WhiteBIT, this makes the UAE a natural next step. Clients in the region will get access to digital assets through a platform built to meet local standards. For WhiteBIT, the country also offers a strategic base between Europe, Asia and Africa.

The UAE milestone builds on WhiteBIT’s growing regulatory footprint. In June 2026, WhiteBIT EU received authorisation under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from Austria’s Financial Market Authority, allowing it to serve eligible clients across the European Economic Area. WhiteBIT also operates local platforms in the United Kingdom, the United States and other markets, each working in line with local regulation. The UAE is the next market where the company is building its presence through the local regulator.

Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group, said:
“We believe lasting growth in digital assets comes from working within clear rules, not around them. That principle has guided us in Europe and in every market we enter, and the UAE is no exception. We are fully committed to working closely with VARA, local banks and partners to build a platform the UAE market can trust.”

WhiteBIT is now focused on completing the next stages of the licensing process in close cooperation with VARA, alongside building its local team and partnerships in the region.