Dubai VARA Orders KuCoin-Linked Firms to Stop All Operations Over Licensing Breach

On 7 March 2026, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority ordered several entities connected to KuCoin to halt all virtual asset activities in the emirate for operating without the required VARA license. The notice bans KuCoin-branded marketing and alleges the exchange misrepresented its regulatory status, leaving Dubai users without local investor protections and potentially exposed to legal consequences if they continue using the platform. KuCoin faces additional regulatory penalties in the U.S., Canada, and Austria despite a stated compliance-first shift under CEO BC Wong since January 2025.