Flipster, a global cryptocurrency trading platform, has secured in-principle approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) under its local entity, Flipster FZE. This approval, announced on February 12, 2026, marks a pivotal step in the exchange's strategic expansion into the Middle East and underscores its commitment to operating within regulated frameworks.
The in-principle approval allows Flipster FZE to advance toward offering fully regulated virtual asset services, with spot trading planned as the initial offering. This move aligns with the platform's long-term strategy to establish compliant access to digital assets in key global markets. Benjamin Grolimund, General Manager at Flipster FZE, stated, "This milestone is a meaningful vote of confidence in our long-term commitment to the region. The Middle East has become a blueprint for how digital assets should be regulated and adopted." He praised VARA's framework for enabling innovation while prioritizing trust and security.
To bolster its compliance infrastructure, Flipster has partnered with blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. This partnership enhances the platform's capabilities in transaction monitoring and risk management, ensuring readiness to meet VARA's stringent regulatory standards. Flipster first signaled its entry into the Middle East in May 2025 with the appointment of Grolimund, a fintech executive with prior experience at Rain and Bloomberg. The company cites the UAE's regulatory clarity and maturing digital asset ecosystem as key factors in choosing it as a strategic base for global growth.
