# Kraken expansion into UAE and Kazakhstan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kraken-expansion-into-uae-and-kazakhstan > Updated: 2026-10-23T05:30:12.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. Kraken, through its parent company Payward, has begun expanding its regulatory footprint in the Middle East and Central Asia. In the United Arab Emirates, the exchange received Full Market Approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) to operate as a regulated Virtual Asset Service Provider. The platform intends to offer retail and institutional investors the ability to trade spot and margin using AED-denominated pairs, connecting regional users to its global liquidity and order books. Following this, Payward received in-principle regulatory approval from the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) to expand operations into Kazakhstan. This preliminary approval allows a proposed subsidiary to operate within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), covering services such as digital asset trading and custody. The company must still satisfy remaining regulatory requirements before officially commencing licensed activities in the region. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Payward receives in-principle approval to expand Kraken into Kazakhstan Kraken parent Payward has secured in-principle approval from Kazakhstan's AFSA to offer digital asset trading, investment, and custody services within the Astana International Financial Centre. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/payward-receives-in-principle-approval-to-expand-kraken-into-kazakhstan ### 2026-10-12: Kraken to launch in UAE following Dubai regulatory approval Kraken's parent company, Payward, has secured full regulatory approval from Dubai's VARA to launch cryptocurrency services in the UAE, offering AED-denominated trading and global liquidity access. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kraken-to-launch-in-uae-following-dubai-regulatory-approval --- Cite as: Kraken expansion into UAE and Kazakhstan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kraken-expansion-into-uae-and-kazakhstan