Ceffu Custody FZE has received a full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), officially authorizing the company to provide digital asset custody services to institutional clients in and from Dubai. The approval marks a major step in Ceffu’s regional expansion and underscores Dubai’s growing influence as a global hub for regulated virtual asset activity.
The new license allows Ceffu Dubai to deliver a full suite of regulated crypto custody solutions, including secure storage, transaction management, and institutional-grade compliance support. The move aligns with VARA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight and foster innovation in the emirate’s fast-evolving digital asset ecosystem.
A Milestone for Institutional Crypto Custody
With its full operating license, Ceffu joins the ranks of regulated custodians under VARA’s framework—an achievement that reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a leader in digital asset governance.
“This full operating license from VARA reflects both the robustness of Dubai’s regulatory environment and Ceffu’s commitment to regulatory excellence,” said Ian Loh, CEO of Ceffu. “With the Middle East rapidly emerging as a global hub for cryptocurrency and blockchain, this license reinforces our ability to provide secure and compliant custody infrastructure for institutional clients.”
The company’s focus is on helping financial institutions, asset managers, and corporate investors safely manage digital assets while adhering to the region’s strict compliance standards.
Institutional-Grade Security and Infrastructure
At the heart of Ceffu’s platform is its multi-layered security infrastructure, which integrates multi-party computation (MPC) technology, multi-approval schemes (MAS), and a transaction approval policy (TAP) framework. Together, these systems offer enhanced control, resilience, and transparency for institutional operations.
Ceffu’s MPC approach divides private key management across multiple trusted parties, reducing single points of failure. The MAS and TAP protocols add further layers of governance, allowing institutions to define specific approval thresholds and security rules before transactions can be executed.
Complementing these technologies is a secure cold storage system that isolates digital assets from online threats. This combination of on-chain and off-chain safeguards is designed to meet the stringent requirements of institutional investors—balancing high security with operational efficiency and compliance with VARA’s regulatory standards.
Strengthening Dubai’s Digital Asset Ecosystem
Dubai continues to attract global digital asset companies seeking regulatory clarity and market access. The emirate’s regulatory framework, led by VARA, provides defined operating licenses for activities such as custody, exchange, and advisory services—offering a structured environment for both innovation and investor protection.
Ceffu’s entry into Dubai’s regulated market represents a strong endorsement of this model. The company’s presence is expected to support institutional adoption of digital assets, helping traditional financial players engage safely with the crypto economy.
“Dubai’s leadership in developing a transparent and robust regulatory framework is setting global benchmarks,” said Loh. “Our collaboration with VARA demonstrates a shared vision for advancing secure digital finance across the region.”
Expanding Services and Regional Ambitions
Beyond custody, Ceffu plans to extend its offering to include off-exchange settlement, hot wallet solutions, and institutional staking services—all tailored to meet the needs of professional investors and financial intermediaries.
The company is also working closely with VARA to develop customized solutions for asset managers, exchanges, and large-scale investors, ensuring that future products comply with both local and international standards.
This strategic expansion builds on Ceffu’s global footprint, combining technological innovation with a compliance-first approach. The firm’s mission is to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset world—providing institutions with the infrastructure to safely hold, manage, and transact in virtual assets.
Driving Institutional Confidence in Crypto
Ceffu’s licensing milestone comes at a time when institutional interest in digital assets is accelerating across the Middle East. The region’s proactive regulatory stance, coupled with its appetite for fintech innovation, is turning the Gulf into a focal point for blockchain adoption.
With VARA’s oversight ensuring transparency and investor protection, Dubai is emerging as a global model for how governments and crypto firms can collaborate to build a secure, compliant digital asset market.
For Ceffu, the license cements its role as a trusted institutional custody provider, empowering clients to operate with confidence in one of the world’s most dynamic financial centers.
