Binance Achieves Regulatory Milestone with Full Licensing in Abu Dhabi
Binance entered a new phase of regulatory certainty after confirming that Abu Dhabi had approved a full set of licenses for Binance.com.
Binance has taken a significant step towards regulatory compliance, marking a new era for the global cryptocurrency exchange. According to a recent press release, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi has granted Binance.com full licensing under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This development makes Binance the first exchange to operate a full market infrastructure stack in the jurisdiction, encompassing exchange, clearing, custody, and broker-dealer functions.
Regulatory Framework and Operational Implications
The approval grants Binance the right to operate its trading venue, clearing operations, custody services, settlement processes, and broker-dealer activities through three regulated entities within ADGM. Each company has its own permissions, but together they form a structure that mirrors how traditional financial markets work. This comprehensive licensing structure is expected to provide Binance with a level of legal clarity that it has struggled to achieve in other regions, such as the United States and parts of Europe.
As Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, noted, “ADGM is one of the most respected financial regulators in the world, and holding an FSRA license under their gold standard demonstrates that Binance meets the highest international standards for compliance, governance, risk management, and consumer protection.” This endorsement underscores the significance of the ADGM licensing and its potential to bolster Binance’s reputation and operational stability.
UAE’s Evolving Regulatory Landscape
The UAE has been actively working to establish a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. A new federal law that came into force in November imposes steep penalties for unlicensed crypto activity in all free zones, reinforcing the country’s commitment to compliance and regulatory clarity. This development is expected to foster a more secure and transparent environment for cryptocurrency exchanges and users alike.
Binance has been expanding its presence in the UAE, with events such as Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, where industry leaders praised the country’s strong regulatory clarity as a major competitive advantage. The region’s institutional infrastructure is also deepening, with Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, recently receiving Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token status under the ADGM, allowing for regulated use in custody, trading, and payment operations.
As Binance prepares to begin operations under its ADGM approvals on January 5, 2026, the exchange is poised to operate under a comprehensive, gold-standard regulatory regime for the first time. This milestone marks a significant step towards deeper regulatory integration and is expected to have far-reaching implications for Binance’s global operations.
For more information on Binance’s full digital asset licenses in Abu Dhabi, please visit https://crypto.news/binance-full-digital-asset-licenses-abu-dhabi-2025/
