Binance has obtained a full suite of licenses from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This allows the exchange to operate its global platform from Abu Dhabi under a single, comprehensive regulatory framework.
Binance to Operate Three-entity Structure Under FSRA
Under the authorization, Binance will restructure its Abu Dhabi presence into three separately licensed entities that mirror traditional market infrastructure. One entity will run as a regulated investment exchange for spot and derivatives trading. A second will function as a recognized clearing and custody house. Finally, a third will act as a broker-dealer for over-the-counter trades and conversions.
Instead of overseeing a single consolidated platform, this approach provides the FSRA with end-to-end supervision over trading, clearing, and custody. Early in 2026, Binance intends to start operations under the new framework, positioning Abu Dhabi as a crucial base for its international operations and liquidity.
With this clearance, Binance becomes the first significant international cryptocurrency exchange to get a full Financial Services Permission in ADGM, which includes activity related to digital asset exchange, clearing, and broking. The company must meet strict standards on capital, governance, risk management, market monitoring, and anti-money laundering measures that are similar to those imposed on traditional financial institutions in order to receive an FSRA licence.
For ADGM, the move reinforces Abu Dhabi’s strategy to build a regulated crypto and digital-assets center, where large international platforms operate inside a rules-based environment instead of from offshore jurisdictions. Local officials highlight the licensing milestone as evidence that the emirate can host globally significant market infrastructure while maintaining high supervisory standards.
Regional Market Context
For users within ADGM’s jurisdiction, access to Binance through fully licensed entities means trading and custody services fall under FSRA conduct-of-business rules and consumer safeguards. Institutional clients in the Middle East and North Africa gain a regulated venue that supports exchange trading, clearing, and bespoke brokerage activity from a single, regionally located hub.
The Abu Dhabi licenses are part of Binance’s wider effort to resolve past regulatory friction by anchoring more of its business in jurisdictions with clear, enforceable frameworks. The decision also adds competitive pressure on other global exchanges to pursue similarly broad authorizations if they want to serve institutional capital and sovereign wealth funds that increasingly demand fully supervised venues.
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