Bitget Strengthens Its Position in the MENA Region with DIFC License
Date: 2025-08-15 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: BUSINESS
Bitget announced that it has received the DIFC Innovation License from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), as part of its strategy to enter the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. The move gives the company access to one of the most progressive financial ecosystems in the region, where innovation and digital technologies are actively supported.
By joining the DIFC Innovation Hub, Bitget is surrounded by over 700 fintech and blockchain companies, strengthening its position as a leader in the implementation of digital asset solutions in the UAE and beyond. The new license does not allow the provision of virtual asset services, but creates opportunities for strategic collaboration with local partners and the development of products tailored to market needs.
The company sees this step as an intermediate stage before registering with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority of Dubai (VARA), which will allow it to obtain a full trading license. According to Bitget CEO Gracie Chen, the MENA region, due to its openness to Web3 and progressive regulation, is an ideal base for the company's further development. A presence in DIFC, according to her, will help build user confidence and establish contacts with regulators, investors and technology partners.
Bitget also noted that interest in digital assets in MENA continues to grow, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia are among the leaders in terms of crypto market development. Dubai has become one of the world's leading blockchain hubs, which is facilitated by both a favorable regulatory framework and venture capital activity.
Obtaining a license in DIFC is in line with the company's global strategy to comply with regulatory requirements in different countries. In 2025, Bitget has already registered in El Salvador, Argentina, and Georgia (in the Tbilisi Free Zone), and has established cooperation with regulators in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
While the DIFC Innovation License does not grant the right to work with cryptocurrencies directly, it opens the way for active participation in the local innovation environment, exchange of experience with other Web3 companies, and development of new directions. Given the projected growth of crypto transactions, cross-border transfers, and tokenized real assets in the region, Bitget sees MENA as a key market for a long-term presence.
The company said it will continue to seek opportunities to obtain licenses as part of a multi-layered compliance strategy and interaction with regulators, including VARA, in order to expand the range of services offered and adapt them to the requirements of local users.
