tl;dr
Laser Digital, a subsidiary of Nomura, has obtained the first limited license under Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority's (VARA) Pilot Regime to offer over-the-counter crypto derivatives. This approval allows Laser Digital to operate in Dubai and provide institutional clients with structured ...
Laser Digital, a subsidiary of Japanese banking giant Nomura, has secured the first limited license to offer over-the-counter crypto derivatives under the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority’s (VARA) Pilot Regime. This marks a significant milestone as Laser Digital becomes the first firm authorized to provide institutional-grade crypto options directly to clients within the VARA framework.
With the new approval, Laser Digital is officially operational in Dubai and will soon engage with institutional counterparties to deliver structured derivative strategies. These products focus on hedging, yield enhancement, and volatility management, tailored specifically for sophisticated investors in the digital asset sector.
The license falls under VARA’s Pilot Regime, a program designed to vet and onboard qualified firms while maintaining strong oversight over virtual asset activities. Laser Digital’s participation signals growing regulatory maturity in Dubai’s emerging digital asset environment.
Founded by Nomura to bridge traditional finance with the crypto economy, Laser Digital offers a suite of services including trading, asset management, and venture investments within a regulated institutional framework. The approval from VARA underscores Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in regulated crypto innovation.
VARA, created in 2022, has steadily progressed its regulatory roadmap, recently introducing a staged licensing framework to balance oversight with innovation in the virtual asset space. The Pilot Regime allows firms like Laser Digital to participate in the market on a limited basis before advancing toward a full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.
Dubai’s clear regulatory landscape has attracted many crypto firms seeking stable conditions amid inconsistent policies and enforcement in other regions. By securing this license, Laser Digital establishes a strong presence in one of the few jurisdictions offering structured access to institutional-grade crypto finance under government supervision.