Deribit Taps Coinbase Liquidity with VARA Broker Dealer Licence

Deribit's spot market has received a significant upgrade after the exchange secured a Broker Dealer Licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This new approval allows Deribit to connect its spot orders to Coinbase Exchange for execution, potentially providing clients with deeper liquidity and tighter spreads.

The licence also enables Deribit to offer hundreds of additional assets listed on Coinbase Exchange, which can be used as collateral for derivatives trading on the platform. The upgraded spot service will be available to Retail, Qualified, and Institutional investors, while Deribit's own spot orderbook remains available for a smaller number of assets.

Deribit received VARA approval for derivatives in early 2025 and has operated its global headquarters from Dubai under VARA supervision since then. The exchange is now combining its established derivatives platform with Coinbase's liquidity infrastructure, resulting in a direct product change.