Binance wins full ADGM licence to run exchange, custody and clearing operations

Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has secured full authorisation from the Abu Dhabi Global Market regulator, enabling it to operate exchange, clearing, custody and broker-dealer services under three licensed entities inside the jurisdiction.

Under the new licence regime, Binance will restructure operations via three separate entities: one to handle trading, another responsible for clearing and custody, and a third to manage broker-dealer services. The roll-out of regulated activities is slated to begin from 5 January 2026 — subject to final operational readiness.

The full licence marks a major milestone for Binance, which had first obtained limited permission from ADGM in 2022 to provide custody services to professional clients. It now becomes the first global digital-asset exchange to obtain a comprehensive regulatory clearance under ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority framework.

According to the company, the regulatory clarity offered by ADGM’s “gold-standard” framework underpins its commitment to compliance, governance and investor protection. Co-CEO Richard Teng said that the licences provide “regulatory clarity and legitimacy” and enable Binance to support global operations from a recognised, regulated base.

For ADGM, the approval reaffirms its strategy of positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading hub for digital-asset and financial innovation. The jurisdiction introduced its virtual-asset regulatory framework in 2018 and updated it in June 2025 to tighten rules around permissible tokens and risk compliance — reflecting evolving global standards.

Regulators in the region have increasingly encouraged licensed digital-asset activity: under the updated framework, only “Accepted Virtual Assets” may be used in regulated services such as trading, custody or investment management; privacy tokens and algorithmic stablecoins remain prohibited for now.

Industry observers note that Binance’s full licensing may influence other global exchanges to consider establishing operations under similarly robust frameworks. The structured division of roles — trading venue, clearing house, custody and broker-dealer — mirrors traditional financial markets, potentially attracting both institutional investors and retail clients seeking regulated environments.