Capital.com to Launch UAE Spot Crypto Trading After Affiliate Secures CMA License

Capital.com is preparing to roll out spot crypto trading services for clients in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant expansion beyond its existing contracts-for-difference (CFD) offerings. The move follows the approval of a virtual-asset license by the UAE's Capital Market Authority (CMA) for Capital.com's affiliate, Capital Vault, which will operate as a dedicated, separately regulated entity.

Under the license, Capital Vault is authorized to deal in virtual assets as an agent or matching principal and to provide custody services on behalf of clients. Once the service launches, UAE-based users of the Capital.com app will be able to buy and hold actual cryptocurrencies, with Capital Vault handling execution, custody, and settlement. This represents a departure from Capital.com's traditional CFD model, which provides price exposure without granting ownership of the underlying digital assets. Capital Vault has already established a presence in Abu Dhabi and is building out a local virtual-asset team to support operations.

The regulatory approval comes in the wake of the CMA's broader virtual-asset framework introduced in April, which expanded the scope of regulated activities from three to eight. The new framework sets standards covering business conduct, alternative trading systems, anti-money laundering controls, and prudential requirements — positioning the UAE as an increasingly competitive hub for crypto firms seeking regulatory clarity in the Middle East. Capital.com's expansion reflects a growing trend of global trading platforms establishing dedicated, compliant entities in the region to tap into institutional and retail demand.