Binance becomes first exchange to obtain full digital asset licenses in Abu Dhabi

Binance moved into a new phase of regulatory certainty after confirming that Abu Dhabi had approved a complete suite of licenses for Binance.com.

Binance has taken a major regulatory step that could reshape how its global platform operates in 2026. 

According to a Dec. 7 press release from the company, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi has approved the full licensing of Binance.com under Abu Dhabi Global Market’s framework. This makes Binance the first exchange to operate a complete market infrastructure stack in the jurisdiction.

A new regulatory base for Binance

The approval grants Binance the right to run its trading venue, clearing operations, custody services, settlement processes, and broker-dealer activities through three regulated entities inside ADGM. Each entity has its own permissions, but together they form a structure that mirrors the way traditional financial markets operate. 

The development comes alongside reports that Abu Dhabi is becoming Binance.com’s de facto governance center. While the company has avoided confirming a global headquarters shift, the licensing structure and regulatory clarity strongly suggest ADGM is now its primary operational anchor.

The licenses also give Binance a level of legal clarity it has struggled to secure in the United States and parts of Europe. With more than 300 million users worldwide, the exchange is shifting toward a model built on deeper regulatory integration rather than jurisdictional flexibility. 

Binance expects to begin operating under its ADGM permissions on January 5, 2026, following final preparations.

Regulatory momentum in the UAE

The UAE has been accelerating its approach to digital-asset oversight. A new federal law that came into effect in November now imposes steep penalties on unlicensed crypto activity across all free zones, strengthening the country’s commitment to clear compliance rules. 

Binance has been growing its footprint in the UAE, helped by events like Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai earlier this December, where industry leaders praised the nation’s strong regulatory clarity as a major competitive advantage.

The region’s institutional infrastructure is also deepening. Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, recently received “Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token’’ status under ADGM, allowing regulated usage in custody, trading, and payment flows. Separately, Binance Pay now supports crypto payments for import and export duties through Dubai Customs, enabling faster settlement for SMEs.

Binance’s ADGM launch in January 2026 will mark the first time its global platform operates under a comprehensive, gold-standard supervisory regime.