Laser Digital Secures Dubai's First OTC Crypto Derivatives License

Laser Digital, the crypto-focused subsidiary of Japanese financial services giant Nomura Holdings, has become the first firm in Dubai to secure an over-the-counter (OTC) crypto derivatives license through the city’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) [1]. This license enables the company to offer client-facing crypto options and derivatives, marking a significant step in the institutionalization of digital assets and the maturation of the crypto derivatives market [2].

The approval is part of Dubai’s pilot regulatory framework, which aims to provide a structured and transparent environment for digital asset trading [3]. Laser Digital will initially offer medium-term vanilla options on major cryptocurrencies, executed via standard ISDA contracts. The company plans to gradually expand its offerings to include yield-enhancing products, lending services, and broader integration into the spot market [1].

Johannes Woolard, Chief Product Officer at Laser Digital, attributed the firm’s success to Dubai’s balanced regulatory approach. He noted that the process requires firms to demonstrate detailed plans, but once approved, offers them significant operational freedom [1]. This regulatory flexibility is a key factor in attracting institutional players to the region, as crypto derivatives continue to gain global traction.

Dubai’s proactive stance in structuring a favorable environment for digital assets is part of a broader strategy to establish itself as a global hub for digital finance [1]. The city’s innovation-friendly policies, combined with strong institutional oversight, have drawn attention from major international firms. With Laser Digital now operating under a regulated framework, the market is expected to see increased liquidity and efficiency, potentially encouraging broader institutional participation [2].

The move also highlights Dubai’s efforts to address longstanding concerns about the volatility and lack of oversight in the crypto market. By enabling structured fraud prevention and regulatory oversight, the city aims to build trust and legitimacy for digital asset trading [2]. This development signals the ongoing integration of crypto derivatives into traditional financial systems, with major players entering the space through regulated channels [1].

Laser Digital’s achievement underlines the evolving global approach to crypto regulation. Dubai’s initiative, led by VARA, demonstrates how digital asset markets can be responsibly structured, setting a potential example for other jurisdictions. The event reinforces Dubai’s emerging role as a center for digital asset innovation and signals the growing acceptance of crypto derivatives as a recognized financial instrument [1].

Sources:

[1] Laser Digital Secures Monumental Crypto Derivatives License in Dubai

https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68931ab71c2c1e490438c9d2/

[2] Nomura's Laser Digital First to Get Dubai OTC Crypto Options License

https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/b3476-nomuras-laser-digital-first-to-get-dubai-otc-crypto-options-license

[3] Laser Digital Secures Approval From Dubai's VARA for ...

https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/08/06/nomura-backed-laser-digital-wins-regulatory-nod-for-crypto-derivatives-in-dubai