BitOasis receives MVP Operational License from Dubai Virtual asset regulator

 

As per Dubai VARA website, BitOasis, the crypto broker exchange has moved one step forward in its licensing process. It has become the first among VARA’s crypto broker dealers to receive MVP (Minimum Viable Product). operational license one step before the FMP ( Full Minimum Product) Operational License.  

CoinMENA, Scallops, and MidChains are still in the first stage as MVP provisional while GCEX has received an MVP preparatory license one step before MVP operational license.

BitOasis applied for VARA licensing in March 2022. At the time BitOasis had carried out crypto trades worth $4 billion. Ola Doudin Co-Founder and CEO of BitOasis has stated at the time, “  “We will continue to strive to offer our customers the most customized platform for their local needs in accordance with regulations that will best protect them both now and as the industry evolves.”

In April of 2021, BitOasis announced that it had been granted a a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but is still awaiting additional launch approvals as well.

BitOasis has raised a total of $30 million in funding from investors such as Alameda Research, Digital Currency Group, Global Founders Capital, Jump Capital, NXMH, Pantera Capital, Wamda Capital and others.

In October 2022 UAE based crypto exchange BitOasis, and MasterCard launched crypto card programs across the MENA region to facilitate day to day usage of cryptocurrencies at points of sale and ecommerce websites.

On Monday May 1st, Bitoasis in its official announcement and VARA made the following statements,

 Henson Orser, Chief Executive Office, VARA stated “We are pleased to welcome BitOasis to the MVP Programme phase. The VARA ecosystem aims to strike a balance between value creation, risk mitigation and enhanced investment opportunities with consumer protection at its core. BitOasis has demonstrated a strong commitment to operating with a firm bias for regulation throughout the licensing process. One of VARA’s founding principles is creating an equal opportunity regime for responsible VASPs and being able to onboard credible home-grown companies, like BitOasis, in addition to leading global platforms, allowing us to bring the shared learnings of our licensees to build the foundation for our global future economy.”

Ola Doudin, co-founder and CEO of BitOasis added, “We are extremely proud to receive VARA’s MVP Operational License. Becoming the first virtual asset trading platform in the MVP programme to attain an operating license is an important milestone for us and the Emirate of Dubai.”

 Samir Satchu, Senior Vice-President of Public Policy & Expansion at BitOasis noted, “Our commitment and ambition at BitOasis is to serve the GCC and MENA region through a network of regulated platforms and on the ground infrastructure. VARA’s MVP Operational License, as well as our in-principle approval in Bahrain, are important building blocks for that strategy. “

BitOasis is following in the footsteps of HexTrust crypto custodian who also received MVP operational license earlier this year.

VARA and UAE's Security Commodities Authority both announced the commencement of licensing of already existing and new crypto entities. 

Article was updated on May 1st 2023 with quotes from VARA and BitOasis