ARP Digital wins VARA broker-dealer license in Dubai

Bahrain-based ARP Digital has obtained a broker-dealer license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The authorization permits regulated conversions between digital assets and the UAE dirham for United Arab Emirates-based corporates, capital markets participants and qualified investors.

The license explicitly covers conversions between stablecoins and dirhams and provides a regulated route for institutions to convert digital asset holdings into local UAE assets. According to ARP Digital, the firm will offer regulated fiat on- and off-ramps, over-the-counter liquidity, cross-border settlement and institutional wealth management in the emirate.

ARP Digital holds a separate license from the Central Bank of Bahrain. According to the company, it has processed more than $3.5 billion in volume for over 450 institutional and corporate counterparties and reported fourfold year-over-year growth in 2025. The firm provides liquidity and settlement infrastructure across fiat and digital asset markets.

VARA was established in 2022 to oversee the provision, use and exchange of virtual assets in and from Dubai. In July the regulator issued its 50th virtual asset service provider license. On the same day ARP’s approval was announced, Flowdesk received a full VARA broker-dealer license enabling it to serve qualified and institutional investors operating in and from Dubai.

Under the broker-dealer authorization, institutions using ARP’s services will be able to convert stablecoin holdings into dirhams and move those funds into traditional UAE investment vehicles or treasury operations under VARA supervision. The license allows ARP to provide institutional clients with fiat on- and off-ramps, OTC liquidity and cross-border settlement within Dubai’s regulated framework.