Capital.com Affiliate Secures UAE Spot Crypto Services License

Global trading platform Capital.com has taken a significant step towards offering spot virtual asset trading services to its clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its affiliate, Capital Vault Virtual Services L.L.C. – S.P.C. (Capital Vault UAE), has successfully secured a full license from the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the federal regulator for virtual assets in the UAE. This license will enable Capital.com clients in the UAE to directly buy and hold virtual assets through the Capital.com app, expanding the platform's existing range of Contracts for Difference (CFD)-based products.

The license granted by the CMA authorizes Capital Vault UAE to deal in virtual assets as an agent or matching principal and to provide custody services for virtual assets on behalf of clients. Capital Vault UAE is among the first firms to be licensed under the CMA's virtual asset framework and will operate from an office in Abu Dhabi. Capital Vault will function as a separate regulated entity from Capital.com's other regulated businesses, with its governance, custody, and risk arrangements held independently. This structure aims to ensure the security and regulatory compliance of the services offered to clients.

This development comes at a time when the UAE is taking a leading role in virtual asset regulation. Tarik Chebib, CEO MENA at Capital.com, noted that clients in the region have been requesting a straightforward, regulated way to buy and hold virtual assets alongside the markets they already trade. Rahul Kumar, CEO of Capital Vault UAE, emphasized that the UAE is at the forefront of virtual asset regulation in the region, and the CMA's licensing process reflects this rigor. This move follows Capital Vault Europe becoming one of the first firms authorized under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in December 2025.

In terms of its impact on virtual asset markets, Capital.com's move could intensify competition in the regulated crypto services sector within the UAE and broaden investor access. With the launch of these new services, UAE investors will have the opportunity to directly own virtual assets, whereas previously they were primarily exposed to price movements through CFDs. This could accelerate cryptocurrency adoption in the region and solidify the UAE's position as a crypto hub.

The UAE has, in recent years, accelerated its efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets, aiming to become a global hub in this domain. The country's vision provides a conducive environment for attracting international companies and fostering the development of innovative financial services. Capital.com's license is seen as an indicator of the UAE's commitment to the digital economy and regulatory clarity in the virtual asset sector.

Analysts and market expectations suggest that Capital.com's new services will expand its client base in the UAE and increase virtual asset trading volumes. Capital Vault anticipates expanding its regulatory footprint and client-facing virtual asset services in the UAE, with additional virtual asset products to be announced in due course. This highlights the UAE's growth potential in financial technologies and digital assets, and could set a precedent for other financial institutions in the region to take similar steps.