LTP said it has obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing the firm to offer regulated digital asset brokerage services to institutional clients in the region as competition for compliant market access continues to grow.
The approval enables the company to operate from Dubai through its local entity and marks its entry into the Middle East and North Africa market, where demand for regulated digital asset infrastructure has increased alongside the expansion of institutional participation.
Regulated Entry Into MENA Market
The license authorizes LTP to provide broker-dealer services in virtual assets to professional investors and qualified clients. This includes access to execution, liquidity, and trading infrastructure designed for institutions such as hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and family offices.
The move reflects a broader pattern in digital asset markets, where firms are seeking regulatory approvals in jurisdictions that offer defined frameworks for crypto-related activities. Dubai has positioned itself as one of those jurisdictions, attracting firms that want to operate within a regulated environment while serving international clients.
By securing a license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, LTP is able to offer services within a framework that includes oversight on market conduct, investor protection, and operational standards. This is particularly relevant for institutional clients that require regulated counterparties for trading and custody activities.
Jack Yang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LTP, commented, “Securing our VARA VASP License is a defining milestone for LTP and a testament to our unwavering commitment to operating within robust regulatory frameworks across every market we serve. Dubai’s forward-looking approach to digital asset regulation, together with VARA’s rigorous standards, creates an ideal environment for us to serve institutional clients throughout the MENA region. We are proud to bring our proven prime brokerage infrastructure to Dubai and to support the region’s increasingly sophisticated institutional community.”
The statement highlights how firms in the sector are using regulatory approvals as a way to signal credibility and attract institutional business, particularly in regions where oversight frameworks are still developing.
Institutional Demand Drives Infrastructure Expansion
LTP’s platform is designed to connect clients to multiple global exchanges while offering services such as trade execution, clearing, settlement, custody, and financing. These functions are typically associated with prime brokerage models in traditional finance, adapted here for digital asset markets.
The expansion into Dubai indicates that institutional demand is not limited to established financial centers. As digital asset markets develop, firms are looking to build infrastructure in regions that combine regulatory clarity with access to global capital flows.
Dubai has promoted itself as a hub for digital finance since establishing its dedicated regulator in 2022. The framework covers a range of activities related to virtual assets, including trading, custody, and brokerage, and is designed to support both domestic and cross-border operations.
For providers like LTP, operating within such a framework can support relationships with institutional clients that require compliance with internal risk and governance standards. It also allows firms to offer services that align more closely with traditional financial models.
Regulation Shapes Competitive Landscape
The entry of additional licensed firms into Dubai’s digital asset ecosystem is likely to increase competition among service providers targeting institutional clients. As more firms obtain approvals, differentiation may depend on factors such as liquidity access, execution quality, and the breadth of services offered.
At the same time, regulatory requirements can influence how firms structure their operations. Compliance with local rules, reporting standards, and risk controls becomes a central part of how services are delivered, particularly in markets where oversight is still evolving.
The focus on institutional clients also reflects a shift in the digital asset sector, where growth is increasingly tied to participation from larger investors. These participants typically require higher standards of infrastructure and oversight compared with retail markets.
LTP said the license aligns with its broader strategy of operating across multiple jurisdictions under regulatory frameworks, positioning itself to serve global clients while maintaining compliance with local requirements.
