Dubai's VARA Lists Bybit With an Active VASP Licence for Exchange Services

Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) lists Bybit Fintech FZE, trading as Bybit, on its public register with an active VASP Licence for Exchange Services. Bybit announced the licence on 22 October 2026 and said it covers spot trading.

What the VARA Register Shows

The register entry, read on 22 October 2026, gives the licence type as VASP Licence, the reference number as VL/26/10/003, the licensed activity as Exchange Services and the status as Active. It also lists the CMA registration number CMA-VASP-1000000-0006.

The register's Licence Issued column shows 2026/06/20 for the entry. The two preceding references in the same series, VL/26/10/001 (Rain MENA FZE) and VL/26/10/002 (Payward FZCO), also appear on the register.

What Bybit Says the Licence Covers

In its press release, Bybit said Bybit Fintech FZE has secured a VASP licence from VARA for Exchange Services, covering spot trading. The company said it established its international headquarters in Dubai in 2022.

Bybit's Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Peter Loo, said the company hopes in time to expand its licensed activities to include derivatives, “subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.” This is a company statement; the register entry lists Exchange Services only.

Why It Matters

The register entry confirms the licence and its scope from the regulator's own records: one licensed activity, Exchange Services, with Active status. Bybit's announcement adds that the licence covers spot trading. Derivatives are not among the licensed activities listed, and Bybit says adding them would require further regulatory approval.