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Flowdesk Secures Full VARA Broker-Dealer License in Dubai, Expanding Global Regulatory Footprint
Flowdesk’s Dubai‑based subsidiary, Flowdesk Omega FZE, received a full license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) on 8 October 2026, authorising the firm to provide broker‑dealer services to qualified and institutional investors in and from Dubai. The approval follows an in‑principle approval (IPA) granted in June 2026 and completes VARA’s multi‑stage licensing process.
The VARA licence places Flowdesk among a limited group of fully licensed virtual‑asset service providers (VASPs) operating in the Emirate. VARA, part of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, is regarded as one of the most transparent and rigorous regulatory frameworks for virtual assets in the world. The licence allows Flowdesk Omega FZE to arrange or execute virtual‑asset transactions on behalf of clients, or to deal as principal against them, in accordance with VARA’s broker‑dealer services rulebook.
Flowdesk, which offers 24/7/365 liquidity solutions and over‑the‑counter (OTC) trading for institutional clients and digital‑asset issuers, has already secured regulatory authorisation in Europe. The company is a Crypto‑Asset Service Provider (CASP) under France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and is compliant with the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA). The dual regulatory status in Dubai and the EU strengthens Flowdesk’s position as a partner for exchanges, token issuers and institutional investors.
Co‑founder and CEO Guilhem Chaumont said the VARA licence is a “defining milestone” for Flowdesk. He added that the firm’s governance, compliance, risk‑management and market‑infrastructure work had been recognised by VARA’s stringent review. Chaumont noted that the UAE has become a central hub for virtual‑asset activity and that the licence enables Flowdesk to serve institutional and qualified clients with the same rigor applied in its European operations.
Flowdesk’s global footprint includes an office in Dubai and a workforce of more than 200 employees worldwide. The company is backed by institutional investors such as BlackRock, Cathay Innovation and Coinbase Ventures. Its proprietary trading technology and deep market connectivity allow it to connect to more than 150 exchange venues globally.
The VARA licence is part of a broader regulatory trend in Dubai, where the virtual‑asset sector has attracted a growing number of licensed VASPs. As of July 2026, 48 active VARA VASP licences were held by 45 companies, according to the public register maintained by VARA.
With the VARA licence, Flowdesk can now operate as a fully regulated broker‑dealer in Dubai, offering services that include order routing, market making and principal trading for institutional clients. The company’s presence in both Dubai and the EU positions it to support cross‑border digital‑asset transactions and to provide a compliant platform for issuers seeking to tap into the region’s growing investor base.
The approval is expected to enhance Flowdesk’s competitive standing in the global liquidity market and to reinforce Dubai’s reputation as a leading crypto hub. The firm has not announced any immediate plans for further expansion, but the licence provides a foundation for future regulatory compliance and market development.
As the regulatory landscape for virtual assets continues to evolve, Flowdesk’s dual licences in Dubai and the EU will likely influence its strategy for client onboarding, product development and market participation in the coming months.
The VARA licence places Flowdesk among a limited group of fully licensed virtual‑asset service providers (VASPs) operating in the Emirate. VARA, part of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, is regarded as one of the most transparent and rigorous regulatory frameworks for virtual assets in the world. The licence allows Flowdesk Omega FZE to arrange or execute virtual‑asset transactions on behalf of clients, or to deal as principal against them, in accordance with VARA’s broker‑dealer services rulebook.
Flowdesk, which offers 24/7/365 liquidity solutions and over‑the‑counter (OTC) trading for institutional clients and digital‑asset issuers, has already secured regulatory authorisation in Europe. The company is a Crypto‑Asset Service Provider (CASP) under France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and is compliant with the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA). The dual regulatory status in Dubai and the EU strengthens Flowdesk’s position as a partner for exchanges, token issuers and institutional investors.
Co‑founder and CEO Guilhem Chaumont said the VARA licence is a “defining milestone” for Flowdesk. He added that the firm’s governance, compliance, risk‑management and market‑infrastructure work had been recognised by VARA’s stringent review. Chaumont noted that the UAE has become a central hub for virtual‑asset activity and that the licence enables Flowdesk to serve institutional and qualified clients with the same rigor applied in its European operations.
Flowdesk’s global footprint includes an office in Dubai and a workforce of more than 200 employees worldwide. The company is backed by institutional investors such as BlackRock, Cathay Innovation and Coinbase Ventures. Its proprietary trading technology and deep market connectivity allow it to connect to more than 150 exchange venues globally.
The VARA licence is part of a broader regulatory trend in Dubai, where the virtual‑asset sector has attracted a growing number of licensed VASPs. As of July 2026, 48 active VARA VASP licences were held by 45 companies, according to the public register maintained by VARA.
With the VARA licence, Flowdesk can now operate as a fully regulated broker‑dealer in Dubai, offering services that include order routing, market making and principal trading for institutional clients. The company’s presence in both Dubai and the EU positions it to support cross‑border digital‑asset transactions and to provide a compliant platform for issuers seeking to tap into the region’s growing investor base.
The approval is expected to enhance Flowdesk’s competitive standing in the global liquidity market and to reinforce Dubai’s reputation as a leading crypto hub. The firm has not announced any immediate plans for further expansion, but the licence provides a foundation for future regulatory compliance and market development.
As the regulatory landscape for virtual assets continues to evolve, Flowdesk’s dual licences in Dubai and the EU will likely influence its strategy for client onboarding, product development and market participation in the coming months.
