Binance, a leading player in the crypto industry, has received three distinct licenses from Abu Dhabi’s financial authority, allowing it to run its exchange, clearinghouse, and broker-dealer operations under the oversight of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
The FSRA, an autonomous financial overseer for the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial free zone in Abu Dhabi, has sanctioned licenses for Binance’s Nest Exchange Limited, Nest Clearing and Custody Limited, and Nest Trading Limited, as indicated in an announcement from Binance on Monday.
Richard Teng, Binance’s co-CEO, stated that these licenses enhance regulatory clarity and credibility, enabling the company to bolster its global operations from the ADGM.
“While our global operations remain distributed, leveraging talent and innovation worldwide, this regulatory foundation offers our users peace of mind knowing Binance operates under a globally recognised, gold standard framework,” he expressed.
“We appreciate the FSRA’s progressive stance, which prioritizes user protection while encouraging innovation.”
Binance may establish operations in Abu Dhabi
Binance does not maintain an official corporate headquarters, which can influence tax obligations and regulatory compliance.
Cointelegraph has reached out to Binance for further insights.
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According to guidance from February 2020, the FSRA specifies that authorized entities operating within the ADGM must manage their activities from the zone, including resources dedicated to commercial, governance, compliance, surveillance, operations, technical, IT, and HR functions.
Being under the ADGM’s financial services regulations offers Binance users enhanced consumer protections and increased regulatory oversight, as stated by Binance. The exchange plans to initiate its “regulated activities” on January 5, 2026.
Teng mentioned in a post on X that this is a “significant milestone for Binance,” as it becomes the first global exchange to obtain regulatory approval from a recognized regulator, ensuring comprehensive supervision of its international operations and liquidity.
Binance already holds a presence in the United Arab Emirates, having obtained its virtual asset service provider license in Dubai, which it secured in April 2024, along with a $2 billion investment from MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based technology and artificial intelligence venture firm, in March.
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