Laser Digital, a digital asset subsidiary of Japanese banking giant Nomura, has secured the first limited license to offer over-the-counter crypto derivatives under the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority’s (VARA) Pilot Regime, the company announced Wednesday.

Laser Digital is the first firm authorized to provide institutional-grade crypto options directly to clients under the VARA framework, marking a significant milestone for the firm and the UAE’s emerging regulatory environment.

With this approval, Laser Digital is officially open for business in Dubai and will begin engaging with institutional counterparties to deliver structured derivative strategies.

The offering includes products for hedging, yield enhancement, and volatility management, all of which are tailored to meet the needs of sophisticated investors in the digital asset space.

The license falls under VARA’s Pilot Regime, designed to vet and onboard qualified firms while maintaining strong oversight of virtual asset activity. Laser Digital’s entry under this program reflects growing regulatory maturity in Dubai’s digital asset sector.

Founded by Nomura to bridge traditional finance and the crypto economy, Laser Digital offers trading, asset management, and venture investment services within a regulated institutional framework.

The company’s approval under VARA signals a deepening of Dubai’s ambitions to lead in the global race for regulated crypto innovation.

VARA, established in 2022, has steadily advanced its regulatory roadmap, most recently introducing a staged licensing framework designed to bring oversight to virtual asset activity while supporting innovation.

The Pilot Regime, which Laser Digital now operates under, allows select firms to engage with the market on a limited basis before progressing toward a full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.

Dubai’s regulatory clarity has made it a magnet for crypto firms seeking stability amid a patchwork of enforcement actions and inconsistent policies in other jurisdictions. By securing this license, Laser Digital gains a foothold in one of the few jurisdictions offering structured access to institutional-grade crypto finance under government oversight.

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has…

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June 14, 2025

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved Trump Media and Technology Group’s (TMTG) registration statement linked to a $2.3 billion Bitcoin treasury initiative.

The decision, revealed in a June 13 filing, marks a major regulatory step for the company behind Truth Social, the platform founded by President Donald Trump and partially owned by him.

According to the filing, the SEC declared effective TMTG’s S-3 registration statement, initially submitted on June 6.

Trump Media Registers 85M Shares Linked to $2.3B Bitcoin Deal: SEC

The document outlines the registration of roughly 56 million shares and an additional 29 million shares tied to convertible notes, forming part of the firm’s broader equity and debt agreements with approximately 50 investors.

The total proceeds from these arrangements amount to $2.3 billion.

Although the registration includes a universal shelf to allow TMTG greater capital-raising flexibility, the company said it has “no immediate plans” to issue new securities under the provision.

The move appears more strategic than urgent, aligning with TMTG’s stated ambition to evolve beyond its media roots.

TMTG President and CEO Devin Nunes said the company is now pushing forward on multiple fronts.

“We’re aggressively implementing our plans to expand the Company, our offerings, and our capabilities,” Nunes said.

“By simultaneously enhancing and growing our social media platform, TV streaming platform, and our fintech brand while establishing a Bitcoin treasury, we aim to continue rapidly transforming Trump Media into an indispensable company for the expanding customer base of the Patriot Economy.”

Despite the regulatory win, TMTG shares dropped 2.06% on the day of the announcement, closing at $19.52.

TMTG Confirms $2.5B Capital Raise to Buy Bitcoin

The SEC’s green light comes just weeks after TMTG confirmed a $2.5 billion capital raise to accumulate Bitcoin, following earlier denials.

In that May 27 announcement, Nunes characterized Bitcoin as “an apex instrument of financial freedom,” asserting that it would become a core part of the company’s asset base.

On May 28, Arkham Intelligence posted on X, “Donald Trump’s company, Trump Media, will buy $2.5 BILLION of Bitcoin. Is Trump about to go Saylor Mode?” — referencing MicroStrategy’s executive chairman and his aggressive Bitcoin strategy.

TMTG isn’t stopping there. On June 5, the company filed for approval to launch its own Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), signaling even deeper ambitions in digital assets.

According to the filing, the ETF would hold Bitcoin in custody and aim to mirror its market performance.

Trump has publicly supported the expansion of crypto access and has pledged to make the United States a leading center for digital assets.

Earlier this month, he hosted a private dinner for investors in his personal meme coin project at his golf club.

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With the anticipation for the approval of XRP ETFs XRP ETFs by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) growing rapidly, the price of the cryptocurrency may be on the cusp of a dramatic surge. According to a crypto analyst, ETFs could become the ideal driver for a continual price rally for the altcoin fueled by a powerful combination of institutional demand and adoption. 

XRP ETFs Act As Fuel For Steady Price Surge

In a recent podcast, a crypto analyst identified as ‘Good Morning Crypto’ and a speaker on X (formerly Twitter) discussed how the approval and launch of an XRP ETF could positively influence the cryptocurrency’s price. 

The speaker likened these ETFs to “giant vacuum cleaners” placed over the XRP pool, sucking up all of the available liquidity directly from the asset. Each time someone invests in one of these financial instruments, the XRP used is transferred into a secure custodian and effectively taken out of circulation, no longer available for trading or use. 

At present, nine companies have officially filed for an XRP ETF in the US. However, these filings are still under review and awaiting approval by the US SEC. Rumors are swirling that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with over $11 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM), may be preparing to announce its own XRP ETF. 

If true, this move could dramatically speed up both the demand shock and adoption rate of XRP. The influx of investor interest and the shift in sentiment if the SEC greenlights XRP ETF would likely create upward pressure on the cryptocurrency’s price, potentially driving it to new highs. 

The speaker also illustrated a scenario in which the market gets new US laws and legislation passed by August—things like market infrastructure bills, tax clarity, and stablecoin rules. Once these are settled, he predicts that businesses and financial institutions will begin using XRP for payments. More so, over time, these companies will need to use the network every day to operate. 

As cryptocurrency becomes increasingly integrated into daily financial activity, companies watch as their ETF counterparts continue buying up the altcoin, contributing to its price growth. In anticipation of an ETF-driven scarcity, businesses may begin acquiring large amounts of XRP in advance, potentially adopting a buy-and-hold strategy before prices climb even higher. 

This creates what’s known in commodity markets as a “front-loading effect,” where anticipated future price increases lead to aggressive present-day buying. As a result, the analyst believes that the ongoing demand from ETFs and daily users could be “the perfect storm for a price surge.”

The Altcoin’s Price Predicted To Hit $9 Soon

Now, back in the spotlight, the XRP price is forecasted to experience an explosive breakout to $9.08. According to the Crypto General on X, after recording a significant rally to new highs above $3 this year, the token has been trading within a tight range. 

A TradingView chart shared by the crypto expert shows the formation of a classic Bull Pennant pattern — a typical continuation signal that often precedes sharp upward movement.

The analyst notes that despite the tightening range, the altcoin is moving as planned, with price action respecting key support levels and building pressure below resistance. The key levels on the XRP price chart include a final target of $9.08 and support areas around $1.97 and $0.94.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com

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