Amber Premium Secures In-Principle Dubai License Approval - A Major Regulatory Milestone

Dubai's financial regulator just handed a crypto heavyweight the keys to the kingdom. Amber Premium—the institutional arm of digital asset giant Amber Group—snagged in-principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This isn't just another rubber stamp; it's a strategic foothold in one of the world's most aggressive digital asset hubs.

Why Dubai's Stamp Matters

Forget the sand and skyscrapers—this is about regulatory credibility. The DFSA's approval process is notoriously rigorous, a far cry from the 'move fast and break things' ethos of crypto's early days. Landing this license signals Amber Premium can play by the strictest rules, catering to the deep-pocketed institutions that demand compliance above all else. It's a direct challenge to traditional finance's gatekeepers, offering a regulated on-ramp for capital that's been sitting on the sidelines.

The Institutional Floodgates

This move isn't about retail traders. It's a calculated play for the trillion-dollar institutional market. With a DFSA license, Amber Premium can offer a full suite of regulated services—trading, custody, asset management—right in the heart of a region flush with sovereign wealth. It effectively bypasses the regulatory ambiguity that still plagues other major markets, providing a clear, sanctioned path for major capital deployment. Watch for competing firms to scramble for similar approvals, lest they get locked out of the flow.

A cynic might note that in finance, the best way to disrupt the old guard is often to first get a permission slip from them. Dubai's embrace continues to rewrite the rulebook, proving that in the new financial landscape, the most valuable crypto isn't always the one on the blockchain—it's the regulatory kind.

Amber Premium has received in-principle approval from Dubai's VIRTUAL Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for its local subsidiary to operate as a licensed virtual asset service provider.

The approval announced Wednesday marks the final stage before full authorization for Amber Premium FZE to conduct virtual asset activities in the UAE. Michael Wu, CEO and chairman of Amber Premium, described the milestone as advancing the company's goal to deliver institutional-grade digital wealth management in the region.

"VARA's in-principle approval is a milestone in our long-term build. We are deliberate in pacing growth with governance," Wu said in the statement. He emphasized the company's commitment to compliance-first decisions and alignment with regulatory expectations.

Dubai's VARA has granted licenses to multiple international crypto firms as the emirate positions itself as a regulated hub for digital asset services. In-principle approval typically precedes full licensing by several months while applicants complete final compliance requirements.

Amber Premium operates as the private banking division of Amber Group, serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions. The platform is listed on Nasdaq under ticker AMBR.

The company has been expanding its institutional offerings throughout 2025. In July, Amber completed a $25.5 million private placement at $10.45 per ADS to support its $100 million crypto reserve strategy, with participation from Pantera Capital and other institutional investors. The reserve targets Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Binance Coin, Ripple, and Sui.

In September, Amber announced entry into the digital assets treasury sector, positioning itself to serve publicly listed companies globally that now hold over $110 billion in Bitcoin. The company identified a gap between corporate digital asset acquisition and the infrastructure needed to manage those holdings effectively.

Amber's DAT services provide consulting, trade execution, compliance support, and custody through what the company describes as an integrated platform. The offering targets corporations seeking alternatives to basic buy-and-hold strategies, addressing cash FLOW optimization, regulatory oversight, and risk management requirements.