Binance achieves major regulatory breakthrough with ADGM approval

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Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, has secured a major regulatory breakthrough after the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) formally approved the authorisation of its global platform, Binance.com, under a full regulatory framework.

The approval marks the first time Binance’s global platform has been authorised under such a comprehensive regime anywhere in the world—a step the company describes as pivotal in its mission to build the most trusted and compliant digital-asset ecosystem. The FSRA licence provides Binance with enhanced credibility and opens access to multiple international markets beyond the UAE, reinforcing its leadership role in regulated digital finance.

The authorisation covers Binance.com through three regulated entities operating within ADGM—each granted distinct permissions aligned with ADGM’s internationally recognised regulatory standards:

● 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 for all on-exchange spot and derivatives trading.

● Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognised Clearing House (RCH), with added permissions for custody and CSD services. It will oversee clearing, settlement and secure digital-asset custody.

● BCI Limited (to be renamed “Nest Trading Limited”) has been licensed as a Broker-Dealer, authorised to deal in investments, arrange deals, manage assets, arrange custody and provide money services. It will handle Binance’s off-exchange offerings, including OTC services and conversion activities.

Richard Teng, Co-CEO 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 license under their gold standard framework shows that Binance meets the highest international standards for compliance, governance, risk management, and consumer protection.”

Teng added, “This license 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.”

Binance—now serving more than 300 million registered users and exceeding $125 trillion in cumulative trading volume—has positioned the approval as central to its next phase of global institutional and retail growth. Operating under ADGM’s financial services regime ensures high levels of oversight and consumer protection across its platform.

Following final operational preparations, Binance.com is expected to begin its ADGM-regulated activities on January 5, 2026. The milestone further strengthens the UAE’s standing as a global centre for digital-asset regulation and financial innovation.