Is LBank available in United Arab Emirates?
LBank has temporarily suspended new user registrations from the United Arab Emirates and disabled deposits and new trading orders for UAE users while it pursues a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Treat LBank as not available to residents of the United Arab Emirates until the position changes.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
How we checked this. We set this status by reading the platform's own terms of use and country eligibility, and the public register kept by the named regulator, then dated the result. Availability can change, so confirm directly with the platform and the regulator before acting. As of 26 June 2026.
As of 26 June 2026, LBank has temporarily suspended new user registrations from the United Arab Emirates and disabled deposits and new trading orders for UAE users during its Virtual Asset Service Provider licensing process with Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The platform has stated it is working with the regulator to complete licensing. Treat LBank as not available to residents of the United Arab Emirates for now and verify the current position before acting.
Availability for United Arab Emirates residents
The United Arab Emirates regulates crypto through several authorities. In Dubai the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, known as VARA, licenses virtual asset service providers, while the federal Securities and Commodities Authority and, in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority oversee activity in their respective areas. A platform that serves residents is expected to hold the relevant licence.
As of 26 June 2026, LBank has published notices stating that it has temporarily suspended new user registrations from the United Arab Emirates and disabled deposits and new trading orders for UAE users while it pursues a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The platform has described this as an interim measure during the licensing process.
Because LBank itself has suspended UAE services pending its VARA licence, the platform is treated here as not available to residents of the United Arab Emirates, and the position should be confirmed directly with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the platform.
Access, KYC, and products
LBank is a global crypto exchange that offers spot and derivatives trading. It is a custodial platform, which means it holds the assets in an account on the user behalf rather than giving the user the private keys, and it requires identity verification, known as know your customer, before trading.
In the United Arab Emirates the practical position is that LBank has paused UAE onboarding while it seeks a licence. New registrations are suspended and deposits and new trading orders are disabled for UAE users according to the platform own notices. Residents should therefore treat access as not available for now and confirm the regulatory and service position rather than the day to day mechanics.
How crypto is taxed in United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates does not levy a personal income tax on individuals, and there is generally no personal capital gains tax on crypto held by an individual investor. A federal corporate tax applies to businesses above a threshold, and value added tax and other rules can apply to certain activities.
Treatment depends on whether activity is personal or a business and on current rules, so confirm the position with the Federal Tax Authority or a qualified adviser. See the United Arab Emirates crypto tax page for a fuller explanation. This is general information, not tax advice (as of 26 June 2026).
Regulator and sources
The United Arab Emirates regulators include the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai and the federal Securities and Commodities Authority, and tax matters fall to the Federal Tax Authority. The position below is stated as of 26 June 2026 and should be confirmed on the primary sources.
- Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), public register and notices on virtual asset service provider licensing in Dubai.
- LBank notices stating the temporary suspension of United Arab Emirates services during its VARA licensing process.
- Securities and Commodities Authority, the federal regulator for securities and commodities activity in the United Arab Emirates.
- Federal Tax Authority, guidance on corporate tax and value added tax in the United Arab Emirates.
Frequently asked questions
Is LBank available in the UAE?
As of 26 June 2026, LBank has suspended new United Arab Emirates registrations and disabled deposits and new trading orders for UAE users during its VARA licensing process. Treat it as not available for now and verify the current position.
Why is LBank suspended in the UAE?
LBank own notices state it is pursuing a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and has paused UAE onboarding and trading as an interim measure during that process.
Is it legal to own crypto in the UAE?
Yes. Holding, buying, and selling crypto is legal in the United Arab Emirates within its licensing framework. The open question on this page is the licensing and service status of the LBank platform, not whether owning crypto is allowed.
Who regulates crypto exchanges in the UAE?
In Dubai the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority licenses virtual asset service providers, while the federal Securities and Commodities Authority and the Abu Dhabi Global Market regulator oversee activity in their areas.
How is crypto taxed in the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates does not levy a personal income tax, and there is generally no personal capital gains tax on crypto for an individual investor, while corporate tax can apply to businesses, with the Federal Tax Authority as the authority. See the United Arab Emirates crypto tax page. This is general information, not tax advice.
Where can I confirm the current position?
Check the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority public register and LBank own published notices. Those primary sources are the most current way to confirm availability before acting.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability and licences can change at short notice, and LBank has stated that its United Arab Emirates suspension is tied to its VARA licensing process, which could change the position if a licence is granted. The position on this page is dated 26 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the platform before you act.
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