Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, announced a landmark regulatory achievement as the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi and the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), formally approved the authorisation of Binance’s global platform, Binance.com, under a comprehensive regulatory framework.

This global first marks a significant step in Binance’s mission to create a trusted and compliant digital-asset ecosystem. A licence granted by the FSRA of ADGM provides credibility and seamless access across multiple markets, extending beyond the UAE, and reinforces Binance’s position at the forefront of regulatory progress in digital finance.

The authorisation covers Binance’s global platform, Binance.com, through three separate regulated entities operating within ADGM. Each of the three entities – an exchange, a clearing house and a broker dealer – holds distinct regulatory permissions to carry out specific financial services activities in line with ADGM’s internationally recognised regulatory framework.

Nest Services Limited (to be renamed Nest Exchange Limited) has been approved as a Recognised Investment Exchange (RIE), with permission to operate a multilateral trading facility. This entity is responsible for all on-exchange trading activities, including spot and derivatives products.

Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognised Clearing House (RCH), with additional permissions to provide custody and central securities depository (CSD) services. It will manage the clearing, settlement and secure custody of digital assets, ensuring operational resilience and asset protection.

BCI Limited (to be renamed Nest Trading Limited) has been approved as a broker dealer, with permissions to deal in investments, arrange deals in investments, manage assets, arrange custody and provide money services. This entity will deliver Binance’s off-exchange offerings, including over-the-counter (OTC) trading, conversion services and other principal-based activities.

Richard Teng, co-chief executive officer of Binance, said: “Achieving regulatory status through ADGM’s respected framework reflects our deep commitment to compliance, transparency and user protection. ADGM is one of the most respected financial regulators globally, and holding an FSRA licence under their gold-standard framework shows that Binance meets the highest international standards for compliance, governance, risk management and consumer protection.”

Teng added: “This licence provides regulatory clarity and legitimacy, enabling Binance to support its global operations from 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. We are grateful for the FSRA’s forward-thinking approach, which safeguards users while fostering innovation.”

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, said: “We are pleased to welcome Binance, a key global player in digital assets and financial innovation, to ADGM. Their presence underscores Abu Dhabi’s standing as a leading international hub for innovation, sustainable growth and the future of finance. We look forward to seeing them harness the strength of ADGM’s progressive regulatory framework and dynamic ecosystem, contributing to the evolution of a more innovative, inclusive and future-ready global financial sector.”

With more than 300 million registered users globally and over $125 trillion in cumulative trading volume, Binance continues to support the ongoing evolution of the digital-asset ecosystem through secure, transparent and compliant infrastructure. Operating under ADGM’s financial services regime ensures Binance users benefit from high standards of oversight and consumer protection as the platform scales institutional and retail adoption.

Subject to final operational preparation, Binance.com will commence its ADGM-regulated activities on 5 January 2026. This milestone reinforces Binance’s position in regulatory progress for digital finance and supports the UAE’s emergence as a global hub for financial innovation, underpinned by clear regulatory pathways and a growing talent base.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker