Kraken parent Payward wins full Dubai crypto license

Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider license for its Dubai entity, Payward FZCO, after Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted Full Market Approval. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority issued the VASP license on Oct. 6, 2026, allowing Payward FZCO to serve retail, professional and institutional clients in the UAE with dirham-denominated spot and margin trading, staking, and Kraken Prime access. Payward says it is targeting launch in the coming weeks. The approval follows a preliminary authorization in May 2026, when Payward began preparing its local operations ahead of client onboarding.