Nomura’s Laser Digital Launches OTC Crypto Options Desk in UAE Under VARA Pilot Regime

Laser Digital, the digital asset arm of Japan's Nomura Holdings, has become the first firm authorized to offer institutional-grade over-the-counter crypto options in Dubai. The approval from the VIRTUAL Asset Regulatory Authority marks a watershed moment for both the company and the UAE's evolving regulatory landscape.

The newly licensed desk will provide structured derivative products tailored for sophisticated investors, including hedging instruments, yield enhancement strategies, and volatility management solutions. This development signals growing institutional confidence in Dubai's framework for virtual asset oversight.

Operating under VARA's Pilot Regime, Laser Digital's entry demonstrates the maturation of Dubai's approach to crypto regulation. The regime maintains rigorous oversight while enabling qualified firms to test innovative offerings in a controlled environment.