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Binance Holdings Ltd. has received three licences from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The approvals, announced during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, cover the company’s regulated exchange, clearing infrastructure and broker‑dealer operations. This means Binance is authorised to run a trading platform, manage settlement and custody, and provide off‑exchange services under FSRA oversight.
The Regulated Exchange Licence: This licence permits Binance to operate a trading platform for digital assets in Abu Dhabi. It requires compliance with anti‑money laundering (AML) and know‑your‑customer (KYC) rules.
The Clearing Infrastructure Licence: This licence authorises Binance to manage post‑trade processes, including clearing and settlement. It gives the company responsibility for verifying, recording and storing transactions.
The Broker‑Dealer Licence: This licence allows Binance to act as an intermediary for institutional and retail investors, executing trades and managing portfolios. It provides regulated access to digital assets for financial institutions and individual clients.
Major milestone 🏁#Binance is the first-ever digital assets trading platform to secure a full suite of licenses from FSRA under @ADGlobalMarket.
This marks a breakthrough moment that raises global standards for regulation, security, and trust.
It reflects our commitment to… pic.twitter.com/ItRofJoAOC
— Binance (@binance) December 8, 2025
In March, Binance received a $2 billion investment from MGX, an AI‑focused investment firm chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Tahnoon’s involvement reflects Abu Dhabi’s interest in expanding its position in digital assets. The arrangement combines financial backing with technology, linking AI investment and cryptocurrency operations.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is the supervisory body of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). It sets and enforces regulatory standards for financial institutions operating within its jurisdiction. FSRA places emphasis on investor protection, market integrity and transparency. Its crypto framework requires strict compliance, meaning Binance had to meet specific benchmarks before approval. Approval from FSRA indicates that Binance has met regulatory requirements, strengthening its position within the global market.
After past controversies, Binance has shifted its focus to transparency and regulation, aiming to balance compliance with growth. Co‑CEO Richard Teng, formerly with ADGM, suggested the UAE could become Binance’s global headquarters, reflecting the country’s regulatory stance on digital assets.
Teng commented, “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.”
Abu Dhabi’s leadership is positioning the UAE as a centre for regulated crypto activity. The UAE’s approach may influence other regulators to adopt similar frameworks, supporting a more consistent global market. Approval from FSRA indicates Binance has met compliance standards. It strengthens institutional confidence and may encourage larger investors to return to the market.
Founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) stepped down following legal challenges in the U.S., where Binance agreed to pay $4.3 billion to settle investigations. Under Richard Teng, Binance is working to rebuild its image as a compliant and transparent exchange.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), part of Mubadala Investment Co., has expanded its stake in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF to nearly 8 million shares, valued at over $518 million. This reflects a long‑term commitment to digital assets. The new licences are intended to strengthen trust, transparency and regulatory oversight in the sector. They position Binance to operate within a more structured framework after recent regulatory challenges.
