Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
Exchange Services Rulebook Version 2.1 - Virtual Asset Exchange-Traded Derivatives Regime
VARA published Version 2.1 of the Exchange Services Rulebook, establishing Dubai's first permanent regime for exchange-traded virtual asset derivatives (futures, options, CFDs, perpetuals). Retail access is permitted subject to suitability assessments, a 5:1 leverage cap and 20% minimum initial margin, asset segregation, and VARA intervention powers during market stress; VASPs are barred from proprietary derivatives trading, including through affiliates. This formalises the framework piloted with OKX in July 2025 across all licensed exchange VASPs.
What firms should do
Yes - VASPs offering or planning to offer derivatives must implement suitability, leverage-cap, margin, and asset-segregation controls
- Regulator
- Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
- Type
- Rulebook Amendment
- Status
- Final/In Force
- Published
- 31 Mar 2026
- Takes effect
- 31 Mar 2026
- Topic
- Exchange
- Impact
- High
Found automatically on the regulator's website and summarised by AI by Arakan Lexara. Not legal advice; check the official source before relying on it.
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