In a nutshell, the best cryptocurrency exchanges in Dubai and the UAE are eToro, Interactive Brokers & Binance.
Use our reviews and comparison table of the best Cryptocurrency exchanges regulated in the UAE. You can compare account costs, minimum deposit and the number of cryptocurrencies on offer. Plus the different ways to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on exchange. Please Note: Investing in cryptocurrencies through a cryptocurrency exchange is very high risk, and there is a very high chance you may lose all your money.
| Cryptocurrency Platform | Good For | Number of Cryptos | Costs & Fees | Customer Reviews | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Investors | 120 | 1% | (Based on 277 reviews)
| See Offer Capital at risk |
 | Active Traders | 12 | 0.12% to 0.18% | (Based on 934 reviews)
| See Offer Capital at risk |
 | Market Access | 336 | 0.075% | (Based on 0 reviews)
| See Offer Capital at risk |
Methodology: We have chosen what we think are the best cryptocurrency exchanges based on:
- over 30,000 votes in our annual awards
- our own experiences testing the crypto exchange accounts with real money
- an in-depth comparison of the features that make them stand out compared to alternative cryptocurrency exchanges.
- interviews with the crypto exchange CEOs and senior management
eToro: Best UAE Cryptocurrency Exchange For Investing
eToro (ME) Limited is licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) under Financial Services Permission Number 220073. This authorization allows eToro to operate as a broker for securities, derivatives, and crypto assets in the UAE. Their registered office is located at Office 207 and 208, 15th Floor, Al Sarab Tower, ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.
eToro Cryptocurrency Investing Review: Best Crypto Broker 2025
Account: eToro Cryptocurrency Investing
Description: With eToro you can buy and sell cryptocurrency on their normal investment platform in USD or for advanced crypto investors you can deposit and withdraw crypto on the eToro crypto exchange.
Is eToro good for investing in crypto?
Yes, I’d say that eToro is a good crypto broker as they are they are regulated by the FCA for cryptocurrency activities. I’d say that eToro is better than Binance and Coinbase for crypto trading for the average investor, but for those who want more exotic cryptos and are happy to take on more risk a specialised crypto exchange may be more suitable.
2025 Awards: Best Cryptocurrency Broker
Market Access: eToro has quite a diversified range of markets to trade, so if crypto only forms a small part of your investing portfolio (as it should do) you can also invest in other things like UK and US stocks and ETFs.
App & Online Platform: You can withdraw cryptocurrency from eToro instead of keeping it on their trading platform, this is particularly important if you want to keep safe custody of your cryptocurrency so you don’t need to worry about, yet another crypto broker going bust.
Customer Service: Very good, you get an answer pretty quickly if you have any questions and if you accoutn is big enough you’ll get a personal account manager to help with any issues.
Research & Analysis: The social crypto trading feature is what makes eToro stand out. It’s really interesting to see what others are trading and why.
Pricing: There is a downside though to trading crypto through eToro and that’s the fees, they charge 1% commission, But this is still cheaper than Revolut and Coinbase. Generally, eToro is quite an expensive broker for crypto. eToro is expensive for crypto because quite they do at least some vetting before (as their UK MD told me) they add them to the platform, so you have a smaller chance of being caught up in a crypto pump-and-dump scam.
51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Trading history presented is less than 5 complete years and may not suffice as basis for investment decision.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.
Pros
- 120 cryptocurrencies
- $50 minimum deposit
- 1%* commission on crypto trading
Cons
- General accounts only
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Pricing
(4)
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Market Access
(5)
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App & Online Platform
(5)
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Customer Service
(4.5)
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Research & Analysis
(5)
Overall
4.7Interactive Brokers: Best For Crypto Advanced traders
Interactive Brokers is licensed by the DFSA in Dubai to arrange investment deals but doesn’t offer crypto trading locally. UAE clients access crypto via U.S.-regulated partners like Paxos and Zero Hash.
Interactive Brokrers UAE Expert Review
Name: IBKR UAE
Description: Interactive Brokers’ office in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) serves active traders, high-net-worth investors, and a range of wealth management institutions, including local banks, hedge funds, family offices and crypto traders in the region.
IBKR In The UAE
Interactive Brokers has recently opened an office in Dubai, as the UAE prime broker seeks to underpin its presence in the region and internationally.
The new Interactive Brokers Dubai office “will establish its presence in the Middle East”, the firm said in a statement today.
“Opening an office in DIFC underscores our commitment to focusing on clients in this important region and connecting investors worldwide to global markets,” said Interactive Brokers chief executive Milan Galik.
“DIFC is quickly becoming a global financial hub known for embracing technology, and we are pleased to solidify our presence in the market and serve local investors.”
Several major hedge funds and other financial institutions have increased their presence in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, or relocated to the low-tax country entirely in recent years.
Among them is London-based hedge fund Brevan Howard, which established an office Abu Dhabi last year.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) saw a 25% rise in registrations of new firms in 2023.
Interactive Brokers currently serves over three million clients in more than 200 countries and territories.
Clients of the platform can trade on 150 markets to invest in global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds.
The firm also offers a wealth management solution for financial advisers, as well as an advanced trading platform for institutions such as family offices, which have an increasingly strong presence in Dubai.
The Launch of the new Dubai office comes after the firm announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s SNB Capital earlier this month.
The Interactive Brokers Saudi tie-up makes the trading platform the first global broker to allow foreign investors to directly own and trade securities listed on the Saudi stock exchange.
Pros
- Excellent trading platforms
- Low costs
- Wide market rage
Cons
- Maybe too complex for beginners
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Pricing
(5)
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Market Access
(5)
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App & Platform
(5)
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Customer Service
(4)
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Research & Analysis
(5)
Overall
4.8Binance: Good For Range Of Cryptocurrencies
Binance recently secured a $2 billion investment from UAE-based MGX, a fund backed by the Mubadala Investment Company and AI firm G42. This means the UAE government now holds a minority stake in Binance. CEO Richard Teng, formerly a regulator in Abu Dhabi, leads the company’s UAE hub, employing 1,000 people. The investment raises questions about strategic motives, including potential surveillance, diversification from the US dollar, and strengthening the UAE’s role as a global financial hub. With crypto enabling financial transactions beyond traditional banking, the UAE’s investment in Binance may align with its neutral, business-friendly global positioning.Binance UAE Cryptocurrency Trading Expert Review
Name: Binance UAE
Description: UAE Binance users access to a vast array of cryptocurrencies, enabling trading on spot, margin, and futures markets. The platform supports peer-to-peer transactions and provides opportunities to earn interest through various crypto savings options.
Is Binance any good for UAE crypto traders?
When trading Bitcoin, Binance offers the lowest fees, charging a standard 0.10% per transaction. In contrast, Coinbase uses a tiered maker/taker model with fees ranging from 0.05% to 0.60%, depending on trading volume. eToro has the highest fees, applying a 1% charge on both buying and selling, with the fee embedded in the displayed price. This makes Binance the most cost-effective option for frequent traders, while Coinbase and eToro may appeal more to beginners due to their user-friendly interfaces and additional features.
Pros
- Extensive cryptocurrency selection
- Competitive fee structure
- Advanced trading features
Cons
- Complex interface for beginners
- Past regulatory issues
- Limited customer support
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Pricing
(5)
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Market Access
(4.5)
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App & Platform
(5)
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Customer Service
(4)
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Research & Analysis
(3)
Overall
4.3How to check a crypto trading platform is regulated in the UAE?
To see a list of cryptocurrency exchanges regulated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on one of three financial services registers:
- VARA
- DFSA
- ADGM
VARA oversees virtual asset activities in Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). They maintain a Public Register of licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulates financial services within the DIFC. They provide information on recognized crypto tokens and authorized firms in their Public Register.
ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) regulates virtual asset activities in Abu Dhabi. Their Public Register lists licensed crypto exchanges operating within its jurisdiction.
How are cryptocurrency brokers regulated in the UAE?
The UAE’s regulation of cryptocurrencies saw a major change in September 2024, as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) announced that they would cooperate in the creation of a comprehensive regulatory framework, for virtual and digital assets within in the UAE.
SCA & VARA Merge
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) are collaborating to create a set of unified guidelines for the licensing and supervising of Virtual Asset Service Providers or VASPs.
The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority or VARA, was established in 2022, and it oversees the provision, use, and exchange of virtual assets in Dubai, that take place outside of Dubai’s financial free zones.
The Securities and Commodities Authority, or SCA, is the key regulatory body in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that oversees financial markets and securities-related activities.
The SCA was established in 2000 and its primary objective is to supervise and monitor financial markets in the UAE, including the Dubai Financial Market and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
Can DIFC businesses act for Dubai-based clients?
Crypto trading and custody conducted within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) falls under the remit of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Companies operating in the DIFC can only act for overseas, and expat clients, and not for UAE citizens or businesses.
Those businesses looking to operate in cryptocurrencies and digital assets “on-shore” in Dubai must apply for a licence from VARA.
What do the new regulations mean for crypto investors and businesses in Dubai and the wider UAE?
Virtual Asset Service Providers or VASPs, operating in Dubai must now obtain a license from VARA, while those based in the other Emirates need to secure a license from the SCA.
VASPs operating in Dubai can now service and act for clients in the whole of the UAE, which could presumably make establishing and operating a VASP, a far more attractive proposition.
The new regulations also emphasize strict compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing standards.
In addition, the new rules establish a framework for collaborative oversight between the SCA and VARA.
Allowing both organizations to effectively monitor compliance with the new rules by VASPs and others, and to impose penalties for any violations it detects.
The framework also includes provisions for mutual supervision between the regulatory bodies as well as the exchange of information and the regulatory training of employees.
Why have Dubai’s regulators decided to cooperate with the Securities and Commodities Authority?
The collaboration with the SCA aligns with the goals set out in Dubai’s 2033 Economic Agenda, which aims to establish the Emirate as a leading hub for finance and innovation.
The new regulations are expected to attract international businesses, boost investor confidence, and position the UAE as a global leader in crypto regulation.
His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, the chairman of VARA’s executive board was quoted as saying:
“Today marks a pivotal milestone, demonstrating regulatory cohesion across the UAE, driving forward our shared vision for a robust, secure and interoperable virtual assets ecosystem.”
Whilst his Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, the SCA’s Chairman said:
“The goal (of the new regulatory framework) is to foster the growth and stability of virtual assets in the UAE.”
He added
“This ensures the enforcement of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation and boosts the confidence in the country’s investment ecosystem”
The new regulatory framework is likely to make it easier for Dubai-based VASPs to operate across the UAE.
However, this is still a fledgling market, which research website Statista estimated to be worth $292 million in April 2024.
As of December 2023, there were thought to be some 770 crypto-related businesses operating in Dubai.
No, Coinbase does not possess a license to operate crypto trading services in the United Arab Emirates. While the company has expressed interest in establishing a presence in the UAE, it has not yet obtained the necessary regulatory approvals. Consequently, residents in the UAE cannot access Coinbase’s platform for buying, selling, or trading cryptocurrencies.
No, Revolut does not possess the necessary regulatory approvals to offer cryptocurrency trading services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company has applied for an electronic money institution (EMI) license with the Central Bank of the UAE to provide remittance services and aims to eventually secure a full banking license. However, until these licenses are granted, Revolut’s crypto services remain unavailable to UAE residents.
