Is Coinbase Legal in UAE? Is Coinbase Safe?
Choosing a trustworthy cryptocurrency exchange is crucial as it directly impacts the safety and security of your digital assets. The high risk of scams in this area necessitates extreme caution from users.
Our analysts have noticed a growing interest in Coinbase services among users in the UAE. However, questions remain regarding its safety and legal status within the UAE. Traders Union experts have addressed this concern by crafting a detailed review that explores both the pros and cons of using Coinbase.
So, let us tell you if Coinbase is allowed in the UAE and if it's safe to use for trading.
Is Coinbase legal in UAE? Does it have a license?
Coinbase is a regulated exchange that provides services in most countries worldwide, except for those under international sanctions, such as North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and regions like Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk. Restrictions may also apply based on requests from local regulators. We compared Coinbase's level of regulation with the top two global competitors and the top two competitors available in your country. Exchanges with Tier-1 regulation are generally considered the safest. However, Coinbase's safety level is also influenced by other factors outlined below.
| Coinbase | Bybit.eu | Bybit | |
|---|---|---|---|
Government-regulated |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tier-1 regulation |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
U.S regulation |
Yes |
No |
No |
FCA U.K |
No |
No |
No |
AUSTRAC in Australia |
No |
No |
No |
DFSA in UAE |
No |
No |
No |
AMF in France |
No |
No |
No |
Spain |
No |
No |
No |
Germany |
No |
No |
No |
Singapore |
No |
No |
No |
MFSA in Malta |
No |
No |
No |
Seychelles |
No |
No |
Yes |
Other countries |
MiCAR (Austria) |
Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), Georgia, Kazakhstan |
|
Open an account |
|
|
|
Other Coinbase Security Factors to Consider
| Coinbase | Bybit.eu | Bybit | |
|---|---|---|---|
2FA |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Verification (KYC) |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Successful hacks |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Cold wallet storage |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Investor protection fund |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Open an account |
|
|
|
Short summary about the Coinbase exchange
Coinbase is a popular cryptocurrency exchange, especially sought-after among novice traders. It allows you to trade all cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, BitcoinCash, and others. You will find a web version and an application for a smartphone based on iOS or Android. The crypto exchange provides services to users from 100 countries with more than 43 million active traders registered on the exchange. The total assets on the platform are equivalent to over USD 90 billion. The exchange brings to the table one-of-a-kind training programs that allow you to earn money during the learning process by improving your expertise in the crypto market. Learn what Coinbase is and how the exchange works.
| 💰 Account currency: | USD or supported local currency |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | Minimum deposit 2 units of local currency (e.g., $2 or 2 Chilean pesos) |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | Up to 1:10 (up to $1notional value across all positions) |
| 💱 Spread: | Market |
| 🔧 Instruments: | Dollars, cryptocurrencies |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | No |
Coinbase Pros and Cons
👍 Coinbase Pros:
•you can trade a vast array of cryptocurrencies on the exchange;
•hassle-free registration and verification;
•all assets are in offline storage;
•the exchange ensures the security of users’ assets;
•available are a free e-wallet and a virtual card;
•complex solutions for individuals, businesses, and developers;
•powerful analytical base and unique training guides.
👎 Coinbase Cons:
•there are no passive earning options;
•some of the information is available in English only.
Rules and Regulation
Cryptocurrency regulations in the UAE
The UAE recognizes cryptocurrencies as a legal form of payment and investment. The regulatory framework is overseen by entities like the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Cryptocurrency exchanges must:
- register with these regulatory bodies
- adhere to stringent licensing requirements
- follow anti-money laundering (AML)
- follow customer identification procedures.
Crypto investor protection in the UAE
Licensing with regulatory authorities ensures that crypto exchanges in the UAE maintain high standards of security and transparency. Measures such as AML and KYC protocols are enforced to prevent fraud and protect investors. Regulatory bodies also require exchanges to provide clear information on fees, risks, and dispute resolution mechanisms, empowering investors to make informed decisions. While there is no specific investor protection fund for cryptocurrencies in the UAE, regulatory oversight aims to safeguard investor interests.
Crypto tax in the UAE
Dubai has no capital gains or personal income taxes on crypto earnings.
Do I recommend using Coinbase in the UAE?
The Coinbase cryptocurrency exchange will not be a good choice for traders from UAE. The company does not hold a license, although the main reason for that is that the financial regulator of the country does not license crypto exchanges in general. There have been security-related incidents on the platform, and the accounts are not protected in the best possible way. Also, users periodically have questions about the quality of the exchange’s operation.
FAQ
Can I work with crypto exchanges considering that they don’t have a license in UAE?
The fact that a crypto exchange does not have a license doesn’t mean that traders from UAE will have problems while working with it. Cryptocurrency exchanges are not subject to licensing in many countries, while there are many exchanges with good reputation. Assess the available information about the exchange and check its reputation.
What security methods for account protection do crypto exchanges employ?
Cryptocurrency exchanges may offer various security methods. These include the two-factor authentication, first and foremost, and also such methods as a security question, additional passwords, etc.
Can an exchange that has had a security-related incident in the past be trusted?
You need to check whether such incidents were regular. If it was one episode several years ago, while the reputation of the exchange is good, you can work with such an exchange.
Should I work with an exchange if I have doubts about its reputation?
No. Always choose the cryptocurrency exchanges that have a good reputation.
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Team that worked on the article
Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income. With five years of experience in finance, Mikhail joined Traders Union team, where he is in charge of forming the pool of latest news for traders, who trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex instruments and fixed income.
Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.