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Coinbase Subsidiary Deribit Secures Dubai Broker Dealer Licence

Created at 13 Aug · 2:42 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Coinbase-owned Deribit has obtained a Broker Dealer Licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), enabling it to route customer spot orders directly to Coinbase Exchange for execution and access broader liquidity and assets.

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Key Numbers

£1minimum fractional share purchase on Coinbase UK

Who's Involved

Deribit
Coinbase-owned crypto derivatives platform
Coinbase
Parent company of Deribit
VARA
Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Luuk Strijers
Senior Director and Head of International Derivatives at Coinbase

↳ Why This Matters

This development enhances Deribit's service offering by integrating with Coinbase's extensive liquidity and asset range, potentially improving the trading experience for its clients and strengthening Coinbase's regulated international presence.

Key facts

  • Coinbase subsidiary Deribit has received a Broker Dealer Licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
  • The licence permits Deribit to route customer spot orders directly to Coinbase Exchange for execution.
  • This integration will provide Deribit clients access to a wider range of digital assets and increased spot market liquidity.
  • Assets traded via the new service may be used as collateral for derivatives positions on Deribit, subject to regulatory approval.

Coinbase-owned Deribit has been granted a Broker Dealer Licence by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), a significant step that will allow the cryptocurrency derivatives platform to route customer spot orders directly to Coinbase Exchange for execution. This move is expected to provide Deribit clients with access to a broader array of digital assets and enhanced spot market liquidity.

Under the new licence, Deribit clients will continue to utilize their familiar platform and interface, while eligible transactions will be connected to Coinbase's centralized order book. A limited number of assets will still trade through Deribit's own spot order book, which will also serve as a fallback system. The expanded spot service will cater to retail, qualified, and institutional investors.

Luuk Strijers, Senior Director and Head of International Derivatives at Coinbase, stated that this licence signifies the commencement of benefits for clients following Coinbase's acquisition of Deribit. He highlighted the combination of Deribit's trusted platform with Coinbase's deep liquidity and extensive asset offerings.

Deribit has been operating its global headquarters in Dubai under VARA's supervision since early 2025, being one of the first crypto derivatives exchanges to receive regulatory approval from the authority. Coinbase has also been actively expanding its regulated services internationally, including recent approvals in Abu Dhabi for arranging investment deals and providing custody services, and the rollout of 24/5 stock trading in the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

The licence allows Deribit to route customer spot orders directly to Coinbase Exchange for execution, providing access to greater liquidity and a wider selection of digital assets.

Clients will continue using the existing Deribit platform and interface, but eligible transactions will connect to Coinbase's centralized order book, offering access to hundreds of additional assets.

VARA, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, issued the Broker Dealer Licence to Deribit, overseeing its expanded spot trading operations in the emirate.

What Happens Next

01Assets purchased through the upgraded spot service may become collateral for derivatives positions, subject to regulatory approval.

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How It Developed

Deribit secured a Broker Dealer Licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
The licence allows Deribit to route customer spot orders directly to Coinbase Exchange for execution.
Deribit clients will continue using the existing platform, with eligible transactions connecting to Coinbase's order book.
The integration will add hundreds of assets available through Coinbase Exchange to Deribit's platform.
Assets purchased through the upgraded service may become collateral for derivatives positions, pending regulatory approval.

Sources

T1
Coinbase Subsidiary Deribit Secures Broker Dealer Licence From Dubai VARACoinGape

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