Capital.com Gets UAE License for Spot Crypto Trading Services

Capital.com has announced plans to offer spot cryptocurrency trading services in the UAE after its subsidiary, Capital Vault, secured a virtual-asset license from the UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The CMA introduced a virtual-asset regulatory framework in April, expanding the number of regulated activities to eight from three. The framework includes requirements for conduct standards, alternative trading systems, anti-money-laundering controls, and prudential rules.

Capital Vault will oversee order execution, custody, and settlement as an independent regulated entity with governance, custody, and risk-management systems separate from Capital.com's other business units. The company has opened an office in Abu Dhabi and is assembling a local team focused on cryptocurrency.

Capital.com plans to offer spot services through its app, allowing UAE clients to buy and hold actual cryptocurrencies. This departure from the existing contracts-for-difference (CFD) model provides direct ownership of the underlying asset, unlike CFDs which give users exposure to price moves without ownership.

Although details such as launch date, supported assets, and fees have not been announced, sources suggest that these will determine how the offering competes against established crypto exchanges and other licensed brokers in the region.