Best crypto exchanges in the United Arab Emirates

Ranked by Coinish Score: half the Editor Rating for the entity that serves residents of the United Arab Emirates, half Market Signal. Brokers without enough verified data for a rating are placed by Market Signal and labelled; brokers with neither are listed last. How we rate

Crypto in the United Arab Emirates at a glance

5 crypto exchanges with a verified licence serve residents of the United Arab Emirates: 5 hold a local licence (VARA and FSRA (ADGM)).
Top pick by Coinish Score: Crypto.com (76/100, Editor Rating 4.0/5).
Lowest order-book trading fee: 0.1% (Binance).

Crypto in the United Arab Emirates

Local licence required

In Dubai (outside the DIFC) crypto platforms must hold a VARA licence; unlicensed platforms may not onboard Dubai residents. Elsewhere in the UAE the Capital Market Authority licenses virtual-asset services.

Regulator sources (3)

“Only entities licensed by VARA are authorised to operate and offer virtual asset services within Dubai”
vara.ae · Oct 6, 2026
“No VA activity is 'exempt' from regulatory supervision; as such any VA service or activity requires a VARA licence, registration or No Objection Certificate [NOC]”
vara.ae · Oct 6, 2026
“The move aims to ensure that all companies that provide products and services related to the Virtual Assets sector in the country are fully regulated”
vara.ae · Oct 5, 2026

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and largely unregulated in some countries. You could lose all the money you invest, and you may not be protected by a compensation scheme.

Sort by

1
Top pick
Crypto.com
Foris DAX Middle East FZE · VARA (Tier 2)
Locally licensed
Trading fee
–
Cryptoassets
400+
Min. deposit
–
76
Coinish Score
4.0/5 rating73 signal
Visit site Review
2
Binance
Binance FZE · VARA (Tier 2)
Locally licensed
Trading fee
0.1%
Cryptoassets
–
Min. deposit
–
70
Coinish Score
3.0/5 rating80 signal
Visit site Review
3
eToro
eToro (ME) Limited · FSRA (ADGM) (Tier 2)
Locally licensed
App fee
1%
Cryptoassets
100+
Min. deposit
–
69
Coinish Score
3.3/5 rating71 signal
Visit site Review
4
OKX
OKX Middle East Fintech FZE · VARA (Tier 2)
Locally licensed
Trading fee
0.35%
Cryptoassets
–
Min. deposit
AED 10
62
Coinish Score
3.1/5 rating63 signal
Visit site Review
5
Bitpanda
Bitpanda Broker MENA FZCO · VARA (Tier 2)
Locally licensed
Trading fee
–
Cryptoassets
650+
Min. deposit
–
62
Coinish Score
3.6/5 rating51 signal
Visit site Review

Other lists for the United Arab Emirates: Forex brokers · CFD brokers · Stock brokers & investing apps