ARP Digital Secures Dubai Expansion with VARA Approval, Highlighting Rise of GCC-Born Digital Asset Firms

Bahrain-based ARP Digital has received in-principle approval from Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to offer broker-dealer services in Dubai, marking a significant step in its regional expansion.

The move comes as Dubai’s virtual asset ecosystem continues to grow rapidly, with transaction volumes surpassing AED 2.5 trillion in 2025. While many international firms are entering the market to tap into Middle Eastern demand, ARP Digital represents a different trajectory—one of a homegrown Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) company scaling within the region’s regulatory frameworks.

Founded by Abdulaziz and Abdulla Kanoo of the Kanoo Group, ARP Digital focuses on building core infrastructure for the digital asset economy. Its platform is designed to bridge digital asset liquidity with traditional financial systems, including fiat payment rails, corporate treasury flows, and capital markets activity.

The company’s expansion into Dubai strengthens its position as one of the few regional players operating across multiple regulatory jurisdictions. In addition to its VARA approval, ARP Digital already holds a Category 3 Crypto Asset Service Provider license from the Central Bank of Bahrain.

This dual regulatory presence has supported strong operational growth. The firm has processed more than $3.5 billion in transaction volume across over 450 institutional and corporate clients. It also reported a fourfold increase in volume year-on-year in 2025, while maintaining a platform uptime of 99.99%.

As the Gulf region’s digital asset market continues to mature, ARP Digital’s expansion underscores the increasing role of locally founded firms in shaping the ecosystem. Rather than competing solely as entrants, these companies are positioning themselves as foundational infrastructure providers alongside global players entering the market.