Best crypto exchanges in Dubai for 2025
There are several platforms in the UAE that have licenses and follow the rules. These are set up for everyday investors and big institutions alike. Each one has its own perks, depending on what you need when you’re trading. What it comes down to is that many have a strong desire to work with local governments and regulators.
Binance: The Crypto Exchange Dubai Residents Trust
Binance operates in Dubai through Binance Dubai (FZE). They’re registered locally and have a full license from VARA. Because they follow the rules, they can offer lots of crypto trading options. You can do spot trading, futures, copy trading, and use Binance Earn products.
It’s easy for people in the UAE to use because they accept AED for deposits and withdrawals. But, because of VARA rules, Binance Dubai stopped offering privacy coins and non-AED fiat currencies back in April 2025. Binance puts time into having a good product that provides an array of options in the Emirates.
Bybit: Dubai’s Top Crypto Exchange for Derivatives
Bybit is based in Dubai and is one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the world in terms of trading volume. They have over 60 million users. Bybit has lots of choices for derivatives trading, like perpetual contracts, futures, and options. You can even use leverage up to 125x.
They take AED and have cool trading tools like copy trading, grid bots, and ways to automate your trading. Their fees are good too. Makers pay as little as 0.01%, and takers start at 0.06% for derivatives trading.
OKX: A Safe and Secure Crypto Exchange for Investors in the UAE
OKX has a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from VARA. They were the first global exchange to offer regulated crypto derivatives to regular people in the UAE. They have futures, perpetual contracts, and options with leverage up to 5x, following VARA’s rules.
You can deposit and trade in AED, with trading pairs like BTC/AED, ETH/AED, and USDT/AED. They also have customer support and learning materials in Arabic to help people understand about leverage and derivatives trading.
MEXC - A Huge Selection of Altcoins for Traders in the UAE
MEXC is up and running in the UAE. You can do all sorts of trading there – regular spot trading, futures, and even margin trading. They’ve got over 1,000 different cryptocurrencies to pick from, so there’s something for everyone.
What’s really neat is that MEXC came up with some new things specifically for the UAE. They launched a stablecoin that’s pegged to the Dirham (AEDT), and it took off like crazy, hitting AED 500 million in trades in just six months. Plus, they’ve gotten way more users in the UAE – like, 120% more between 2023 and 2025. And they’ve been doing tons of education stuff, running over 50,000 blockchain workshops all over the Emirates.
Futures trading: maker fee 0.00%, taker fee 0.01%. Spot trading: zero fees. Withdrawal limit: 80–200 BTC per 24-hour period. Withdrawal fees are typically below $1 per transaction.
BingX - One of the Best for Crypto Derivatives, Active in Dubai
BingX is a big player in the crypto exchange world, with over 20 million users all over the globe, and they’ve got a solid foothold in Dubai. People know them because they’re one of the top exchanges for derivatives trading. They even celebrated their 7th birthday as a fancy Platinum Sponsor at TOKEN2049 Dubai back in 2025.
They have all the trading stuff you’d expect – spot, futures, copy trading (more on that in a sec), and even grid bots. The fees are good, and they give you some pretty cool tools to trade with. But the copy trading is what makes them really special. It lets you follow what expert traders are doing and automatically copy their moves with over 550+ cryptocurrencies.
Plus, BingX speaks Arabic, which is a big deal in the Middle East. And they’ve made some great friends in the crypto world there, doing things like teaming up with Chelsea FC for some fun crypto fantasy campaigns.
Gate.io - Licensed and Ready to Go in Dubai
Gate.io got the green light from Dubai’s VARA in April 2025, which means they can offer all kinds of crypto exchange services to regular people, institutions, and serious investors. Their local branch, Gate Technology FZE (Gate Dubai), now lets you trade between crypto and regular money, all while following the rules.
They’ve got over 22 million users around the world and handle over $19 billion in trades every day. You can trade over 3,700 different cryptocurrencies and 500+ trading pairs there. They also hold licenses in Italy (OAM), Malta (MFSA), Hong Kong (TCSP), and a few other places.
Security is a big deal for Gate.io. They keep your funds safe in cold wallets, use multiple signatures for transactions, and even have insurance in case something goes wrong. That’s why they got a good security rating (88/100) from CER.live. And for people in the UAE, they support lots of different fiat currencies and have several ways to deposit money.
Bitget - The Social Trading Expert for the UAE
Bitget is another option for traders in the UAE. They’re a cloud-based crypto exchange that a lot of people use. They’re known for their social trading stuff, especially their copy trading system. It lets you watch successful traders and copy their trades automatically.
They’ve got over 500 cryptocurrencies and trading pairs, including futures trading with different types of contracts. Bitget also has automated trading bots for both spot and futures markets, and you can even stake your coins to earn up to 20% APR.
People seem to like Bitget because it’s easy to use, the customer support is good, and they take security seriously. They even have Web3 wallet integration. They also have competitive options for P2P trading and support several local currencies for users in the UAE.
How to Pick the Best Crypto Exchange in Dubai for You
When choosing an exchange in Dubai, there are things that you should be mindful about and can have an impact on the type of trader that you are.
Trading Fees and Costs
Different exchanges charge different fees. Rain has some of the lowest maker fees, starting at 0.1%. Binance and OKX have good rates for spot trading, around 0.1%. Don’t just look at the trading fees. Keep an eye out for hidden costs like spreads, which can be 1% to 2.5% on some platforms.
Rules and Regulations in the UAE
Only trade on platforms that the UAE says are okay. Binance Dubai, OKX, and BitOasis have VARA licenses. Rain and eToro are regulated by FSRA. These licenses mean they follow the rules to prevent money laundering and check who their customers are.
Cryptocurrencies That Are Supported
Some platforms, like Rain, have 70+ cryptos. Others, like Bybit, have over 2,000. Big exchanges usually have Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and other popular coins. Some also have newer tokens and DeFi projects.
Ways to Pay in AED
If you’re in the UAE, it’s important to be able to deposit and withdraw AED easily. Most of the top exchanges let you do this through bank transfers. Some also take credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Crypto.com and RAKBANK even let you have AED trading accounts for easy banking.
Security
Make sure the platform keeps your money safe. Look for things like cold storage, multi-factor authentication, and regular security checks. Rain keeps 98% of customer funds in cold storage. Binance and OKX have good security measures too, like proof of reserves.
The Rules for Crypto Exchanges in Dubai
The UAE has some of the best rules for crypto exchanges in the world. They want to encourage new ideas while making sure everything is safe and clear.
What VARA Requires for Licensing
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority wants all crypto exchanges in Dubai to have Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses. To get a license, you have to get initial Approval to Incorporate (ATI) first, then apply for the full VASP license.
You need to have enough money, have good management, have a good IT system, follow AML/KYC rules, and have a physical office in Dubai. It usually takes 12-24 weeks to get through the process, depending on how complicated your application is.
ADGM and FSRA Rules
Abu Dhabi Global Market has its own rules through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Platforms like Rain that are licensed by FSRA have to follow strict rules to protect customers and have detailed compliance plans.
Following the Rules as a Crypto Trader in the UAE
If you’re trading crypto in the UAE, you don’t have to pay tax on your crypto investments. But, if you’re running a crypto exchange or providing crypto services, you have to register for corporate tax if you make over AED 375,000 per year. The corporate tax rate is 9%.
How to Buy Crypto in Dubai: A Simple Guide
It’s easy to start trading crypto in Dubai if you use licensed exchanges.
Setting Up an Account and Verifying Your Identity
First, pick an exchange that is licensed by VARA or FSRA. Create an account with your email and a strong password. Verify your identity by providing copies of your passport, UAE visa details, proof of address (like a utility bill or tenancy contract), and Emirates ID.
If you’re a UAE resident, you can use the UAE PASS app to verify your identity faster on platforms like eToro. It pulls your verified identity and address information directly from the government.
Depositing AED
Licensed exchanges give you lots of ways to deposit AED. Bank transfers are usually free from the exchange, but your bank might charge a fee. You can also deposit with credit and debit cards on most platforms. Some take Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local payment systems like Fawri.
It can take minutes for local AED transfers to go through, but it can take up to 2 business days for first-time deposits.
Buying Your First Crypto
Once you’ve deposited funds, go to the spot trading or buy crypto section. Pick the cryptocurrency you want, enter the amount of AED you want to spend, and check the exchange rate and any spreads. Confirm the transaction to finish your purchase.
Lots of platforms have instant buy options for popular cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This makes it even easier for beginners.
Withdrawing Funds and Staying Safe
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) as soon as you create your account. Think about moving your crypto to personal wallets for long-term storage instead of keeping it all on the exchange. Use hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor for the best security when you’re storing a lot of cryptocurrency.
Crypto Exchanges in UAE - What They Offer
Different exchanges are good at different things. Pick the one that works best for you.
Dubai Crypto Exchanges with Low Fees
Rain has some of the lowest fees. Maker fees start at 0.1%, and there are technically zero trading fees, but spreads can add 1-2.5% to your costs. Binance charges 0.1% for spot trading, and you might get discounts through referral programs and volume tiers.
The Safest Crypto Exchanges in Dubai
Binance Dubai has good security measures like cold storage, regular audits, and compliance with international security standards. Rain keeps 98% of customer assets in cold storage and follows Central Bank of Bahrain security rules.
Crypto Exchanges That Support AED
All the major UAE-licensed exchanges let you deposit and withdraw AED. Crypto.com offers direct AED bank transfers with zero fees. RAKBANK has crypto brokerage services that let you trade AED directly from your regular bank accounts.
Mobile Apps for Trading Crypto in Dubai
Rain’s mobile app is in Arabic, English, and Turkish and has a 4.6/5 rating on iOS. It has lots of mobile trading features. BitOasis has both iOS and Android apps that let you swap cryptos and buy instantly with one click.
Trading Crypto in the UAE: The Legal Stuff and Taxes
It’s important to know the laws and tax rules if you’re trading crypto in the UAE.
Crypto Laws in Dubai
Trading cryptocurrency is legal in Dubai as long as you follow VARA’s rules. All exchanges have to have VASP licenses, follow KYC/AML rules, and protect customers. Only licensed platforms can serve people in the UAE.
Tax Rules for Crypto Traders in the UAE
You don’t have to pay capital gains tax on crypto in the UAE. Trading and holding crypto for personal use is tax-free. But, if your crypto activities are a business and you make over AED 375,000 per year, you have to pay 9% corporate tax.
If you’re mining crypto for commercial purposes, you might have to pay VAT. But, mining for personal use is tax-free.
Business vs Personal Trading
It’s important to know the difference between personal investment and business activity for tax reasons. If you’re trading frequently and systematically as a business, you might need a trade license and have to pay corporate tax. If you’re just holding crypto for personal investment, you don’t have to pay tax.
Conclusion
The UAE’s clear regulatory framework, led by VARA in Dubai and FSRA in Abu Dhabi, has established a secure and compliant environment for trading cryptocurrencies, making it easier than ever to choose a trusted exchange that fits your needs and trade with confidence in 2025.