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Capital.com secures UAE license for spot crypto services

Created at 21 Aug · 3:46 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Trading platform Capital.com plans to offer spot cryptocurrency services in the UAE after its affiliate, Capital Vault, received a virtual-asset license from the Capital Market Authority. This will allow clients to buy and hold actual crypto, moving beyond price exposure via contracts for difference.

Key Numbers

8regulated virtual asset activities expanded to

Who's Involved

Capital.com
trading platform planning spot crypto services in UAE
Capital Vault
Capital.com affiliate that secured UAE virtual-asset license
Capital Market Authority (CMA)
UAE regulator that issued the virtual-asset license

↳ Why This Matters

Capital.com's move into spot crypto services in the UAE signifies an expansion of regulated digital asset offerings in the region and provides a new avenue for clients to directly own cryptocurrencies.

Key facts

  • Capital.com's affiliate, Capital Vault, has been granted a virtual-asset license by the UAE's Capital Market Authority.
  • The license allows Capital Vault to execute trades, provide custody, and settle virtual assets on behalf of clients.
  • UAE clients will soon be able to purchase and hold actual cryptocurrencies through the Capital.com app.
  • This offering contrasts with Capital.com's existing contracts for difference (CFDs) which only provide price exposure.
  • Capital Vault operates as a separate regulated entity with its own governance and risk management.

Trading platform and contracts for difference (CFD) broker Capital.com is set to introduce spot cryptocurrency services to clients in the United Arab Emirates. This expansion follows its affiliate, Capital Vault, securing a virtual-asset license from the UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The newly acquired license enables Capital Vault to act as an agent or matching principal in virtual asset dealings and to offer custody services for clients. Once operational, UAE-based customers will be able to buy and hold actual cryptocurrencies directly through the Capital.com application, a departure from the price-exposure-only model of its CFDs.

Capital Vault will manage the execution, custody, and settlement processes. It operates as a distinct regulated entity, maintaining separate governance, custody, and risk management frameworks from Capital.com's other business lines. The affiliate has already established an office in Abu Dhabi and is in the process of assembling a local virtual-asset team.

This development comes after the CMA introduced a comprehensive virtual-asset regulatory framework in April. This framework broadened the scope of regulated activities from three to eight and established stringent requirements for business conduct, alternative trading systems, anti-money laundering controls, and prudential standards.

Frequently asked questions

Capital.com's CFDs offer price exposure to cryptocurrencies without actual ownership. The new spot service will allow clients to buy and hold the underlying digital assets directly.

The license was issued by the UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The license allows Capital Vault to deal in virtual assets as an agent or matching principal and to provide custody services on behalf of clients.

What Happens Next

01Capital Vault to launch spot crypto services on Capital.com app in the UAE.
02Capital Vault to build out its local virtual-asset team in Abu Dhabi.
CME Headlines
  • Product Modification Summary: Add Offset Eligibility to Bitcoin Futures, Micro Bitcoin Futures, Ether Futures and Micro Ether Futures Contracts — Effective September 14, 2026
    19 Aug · 9:15 PM
  • Amendments to CME Rule 855. (“Offsetting Positions for Different-Sized Contracts”) – Contracts Eligible for Offset Table to Include Bitcoin Futures, Micro Bitcoin Futures, Ether Futures and Micro Ether Futures Contracts
    19 Aug · 7:45 PM

How It Developed

Capital.com's affiliate, Capital Vault, obtained a virtual-asset license from the UAE's Capital Market Authority.
The license permits Capital Vault to deal in virtual assets and provide custody services.
Capital.com plans to offer spot crypto services to UAE clients through its app.
Clients will be able to buy and hold actual crypto, distinct from CFDs.
Capital Vault has established an office in Abu Dhabi and is building a local team.

Sources

T1
Capital.com plans UAE spot crypto services after affiliate wins licence UAE clients will be able to buy and hold crypto through Capital.com’s app, expanding beyond price exposure through contracts for difference.Cointelegraph

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