Coinbase-backed Flowdesk secures full broker-dealer license in Dubai

cointelegraphPublicado a 2026-08-11Actualizado a 2026-08-11

Resumen

Crypto market maker Flowdesk, backed by Coinbase Ventures and BlackRock, has secured a full broker-dealer license from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. This allows its local entity, Flowdesk Omega FZE, to offer regulated broker-dealer services to qualified and institutional investors in Dubai. The move follows the company's recent regulatory authorization in France under the EU's MiCA framework. The article notes the growing role of broker-dealers in bridging traditional finance and crypto, citing examples such as Wintermute's new US broker-dealer and a partnership between BitGo and OTC Markets to support digital asset trading for over 150 broker-dealers.

Flowdesk, an institutional crypto market maker backed by Coinbase Ventures and BlackRock, has received a full broker-dealer license in Dubai, expanding its ability to serve institutional investors in the emirate.

On Tuesday, Flowdesk said Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority granted the license to its local entity, Flowdesk Omega FZE, allowing it to provide regulated broker-dealer services to qualified and institutional investors in and from Dubai.

The approval follows Flowdesk’s broader regulatory expansion, with the company receiving authorization in France as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.

Broker-dealers are playing an increasingly important role in the cryptocurrency market, bridging traditional finance and digital assets while providing liquidity, custody services and regulatory compliance. Earlier this month, crypto market maker Wintermute launched a US broker-dealer, allowing it to trade stocks and options.

Digital asset infrastructure provider BitGo and securities marketplace operator OTC Markets announced in July that they plan to provide digital asset trading and custody infrastructure for more than 150 broker-dealers using OTS Link ATS, an alternative trading system.

Related: SoFi taps BitGo to provide infrastructure for bank-issued stablecoin

Preguntas relacionadas

QWhat is Flowdesk, and which major companies are backing it?

AFlowdesk is an institutional crypto market maker. It is backed by Coinbase Ventures and BlackRock.

QWhat type of license did Flowdesk receive in Dubai, and from which authority?

AFlowdesk received a full broker-dealer license in Dubai. It was granted by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

QWhat does the new license allow Flowdesk's Dubai entity to do?

AThe license allows Flowdesk's local entity, Flowdesk Omega FZE, to provide regulated broker-dealer services to qualified and institutional investors in and from Dubai.

QBesides Dubai, in which other jurisdiction did Flowdesk recently receive regulatory authorization?

AFlowdesk also received authorization in France as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.

QAccording to the article, what role are broker-dealers increasingly playing in the crypto market?

ABroker-dealers are increasingly bridging traditional finance and digital assets by providing liquidity, custody services, and regulatory compliance.

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