Dubai, 20 September 2022 – Binance, the leading global blockchain services provider, has received the Minimal Viable Product (MVP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), following the issuance of its provisional license in March 2022. The MVP license means that Binance can offer an approved range of virtual asset-related services to suitably qualified retail and institutional investors in Dubai within its internationally benchmarked legislative framework for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Committed to strong investor and market protection principles, Binance will cater to a clientele approved by VARA who can now benefit from the local banking channels unlocked by this first-of-its-kind regulatory license. Users will benefit from increased levels of consumer protection by trading on a regulated platform under the supervision of VARA in Dubai.
The transition to an MVP License from a Provisional License received earlier this year means Binance can open a client money account with a domestic bank and provide the following services to qualified customers:
- Virtual asset exchange services.
- Conversion between virtual assets and fiat currencies.
- Transfer of virtual assets.
- Custody and management of virtual assets.
- Virtual token offering and trading services.
- Virtual assets payments and remittance services.
VARA was established in March 2022 under the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulation Law, the first law of its kind to regulate virtual assets. VARA aims to create an advanced legal framework to protect investors and set international standards for the virtual assets industry to enable responsible business growth in the Emirate.
This license is a major milestone that follows a number of registrations for Binance’s local entities in the MENA region and across Europe in Italy, France, and Spain. Further, it attests to Binance’s desire to be a regulation-led platform with robust compliance and security controls that have consumer protection and market integrity at its core.
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Chairman of VARA, said, “We are pleased to have Binance licensed to operate within the VARA MVP Programme. The VARA regime aims to strike an effective balance between value creation and risk mitigation, enabling open market innovation while assuring protection for the economically vulnerable. The MVP Phase, is designed for select global players across the value chain, that are committed to responsible industry participation and VARA looks forward to Binance being an active contributor, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment towards creating a next-gen secure ecosystem for this future economy.”
Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and CEO of Binance, commented: “At Binance we welcome regulations that are globally consistent, enable responsible innovation, protect users, and give them choice. VARA’s unique operating model is setting a benchmark for the global industry, and this most recent registration is an acknowledgment of our compliance and safety processes in the new regulatory framework. We strongly believe there is a significant opportunity to work with our industry peers to develop consistent implementation standards around the world as we have been doing in Dubai.”
Alexander Chehade, Binance Dubai General Manager, noted: “Our registration in Dubai is a reflection of the country’s progressive stance on blockchain technology and its willingness to embrace this sector through collaboration. We look forward to continued partnership as we build upon our team and operations in Dubai to roll out additional services, including local banking capabilities and enhanced products.”
About VARA
Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA] is the world’s first specialized regulator for the Virtual Assets sector. Established in March 2022, following the effect of Law No.4 of 2022, VARA is responsible by decree for licensing and regulating the Virtual Asset sector in the Emirate of Dubai and its free zone territories [excluding DIFC], and oversees all licensing requirements and applications for authorization of Virtual Asset activities under UAE law. VARA plays a central role in creating Dubai’s advanced legal framework to protect investors and establish international standards for Virtual Asset industry governance, while supporting the vision for a borderless economy.
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