Huobi crypto exchange wins licenses in Dubai and New Zealand as Thai affiliate closes

cointelegraph.com:

Major cryptocurrency trading platform Huobi continues expanding its global presence by securing new licenses in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

Huobi Group on June 17 obtained the Innovation License under the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), securing the company’s first-ever license there.

The DIFC license is not a trading license but rather authorizes Huobi to incentivize technology startups to set up operations in Dubai, Huobi Group chief financial officer Lily Zhang told Cointelegraph on Monday. The license unlocks a number of benefits like access to the local tech ecosystem and preferential treatment for technology research and developments, capital flows and taxes.

Huobi also plans to receive a Virtual Asset MVP License from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing the company to offer a full range of cryptocurrency exchange products and services, Zhang noted, stating:

Apart from pushing its presence in the UAE, Huobi has also received registration on New Zealand's Financial Services Provider Register (FSPR) to offer its crypto trading services in the country.

The FSPR registration is Huobi Group’s first step towards expanding its cryptocurrency trading business in New Zealand, as all exchanges are required to register on the platform to offer trading services to local users.

The registration allows Huobi’s local entity, HBGL New Zealand Limited, to operate a regulated foreign currency exchange and money or value transfer services in New Zealand. The registration also allows Huobi to provide asset management services and over-the-counter trading.

“In New Zealand, cryptocurrencies themselves are not considered legal tender, but regulators treat cryptocurrency exchanges, brokers, and