CFI Financial Unit Secures Dubai VARA Approval for Crypto

CFI Financial Group announced that its dedicated Dubai entity, CFIX Virtual Assets Broker & Dealer Services L.L.C.S.O.C, received In-Principle Approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for broker-dealer services on November 9, 2026.

The in-principle clearance is a formal stage in the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority's licensing process that comes ahead of a full Virtual Asset Service Provider license. CFIX was set up as an independent legal entity with its own governance setup and operational infrastructure.

Licensing requirements and operations

CFIX will not offer virtual asset services until it secures the full Virtual Asset Service Provider license. Over the coming months, the company plans to satisfy the regulator's remaining conditions, which include completing leadership appointments, operational setups, governance systems and regulatory controls.

CFI Financial Group Chief Executive Officer Ziad Melhem stated that the virtual asset sector spent ten years proving technology and will spend the next proving standards. Melhem noted that the United Arab Emirates shapes this direction, adding that the group's priority is completing license rules to establish a long-term business.

Global footprint and corporate structure

The unit will use operational resources from CFI Financial Group, which manages 15 regulated entities and has operated for more than 25 years in financial markets. The parent company recently named independent board members and an independent chairman.

The Dubai approval follows earlier moves by CFI Financial Group, which recently gained regulatory authorization in Brazil, started business operations in Colombia, and entered Bahrain. Established in 1998, the parent brokerage offers trading in equities, currencies and commodities across offices in London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cape Town, Baku, Beirut, Amman, Cairo and Bogotá.