Coinbase-Backed Flowdesk Wins Dubai Broker-Dealer Licence

Flowdesk, the institutional crypto market maker backed by Coinbase Ventures and BlackRock, has secured a full broker-dealer licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, marking the completion of a multi-stage approval process that positions the firm to serve institutional clients across the emirate.

The licence, granted to Flowdesk's local entity Flowdesk Omega FZE, was announced in August 2026 and authorises the firm to provide regulated broker-dealer services to qualified and institutional investors in and from Dubai.

From Provisional to Full Approval

The full licence follows Flowdesk Omega FZE's In-Principle Approval, which was granted in June 2026. The transition from provisional to full authorisation marks the completion of VARA's rigorous multi-stage licensing process, placing Flowdesk among a select group of fully licensed virtual asset institutions operating in the emirate.

What the Licence Covers

Under the VARA broker-dealer licence, Flowdesk Omega FZE is authorised to provide regulated broker-dealer services exclusively to qualified and institutional investors. Flowdesk describes itself as a full-service digital asset trading and technology firm specialising in liquidity solutions and over-the-counter trading for institutional clients and digital asset issuers. The entity is registered at One Central, Office 08-162, 8th Floor, Trade Centre 2, Dubai.

A Growing Global Footprint

The Dubai approval is the latest step in Flowdesk's broader regulatory expansion. The firm already holds authorisation in France as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, giving it regulated access to two of the world's most closely watched digital asset jurisdictions.

Leadership Weighs In

Guilhem Chaumont, Co-founder and CEO of Flowdesk Group, described the VARA licence as a “defining milestone” for the company. He said VARA has built one of the world's clearest and most ambitious frameworks for virtual assets, and the licence allows Flowdesk to bring that same rigour to how it serves institutional and qualified clients in the region.

Dubai's Regulatory Edge

VARA is widely recognised as operating one of the most sophisticated and transparent regulatory frameworks for virtual assets globally. By securing a full licence under this regime, Flowdesk signals its commitment to governance, compliance, risk management, and institutional-grade market infrastructure. These standards are increasingly becoming the baseline for serious crypto firms seeking to operate in major financial centres.