Binance just entered a major new chapter after confirming that Abu Dhabi has fully approved all licenses needed for Binance.com to operate. This move gives the exchange something it hasn’t had in years: real regulatory certainty.
In short:
- Binance.com is now fully licensed in Abu Dhabi for exchange trading, clearing, custody, settlement, and broker-dealer services.
- This essentially makes ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) Binance’s main regulatory home.
- The UAE is pushing forward with strong crypto rules, new laws, and big institutional developments.
- For Binance, this shift could completely reshape the way its global platform operates starting in 2026.
Binance Gains a Full Regulatory Base
In a press release on Dec. 7, Binance announced that Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has approved a complete set of licenses under ADGM’s framework. This makes Binance the first crypto exchange allowed to run an entire market infrastructure stack in the region.
With these approvals, Binance can now operate its trading platform, clearing systems, custody services, settlement processes, and broker-dealer activities through three regulated companies inside ADGM. Each entity handles a specific part of the operation, similar to how major traditional financial markets are structured.
This move comes as more signs point to Abu Dhabi becoming Binance.com’s main governance center. Binance hasn’t officially said it’s moving its global headquarters, but the licensing setup strongly suggests ADGM is now its key operational base.
Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng highlighted the importance of this step, saying that being licensed under ADGM’s framework shows Binance meets top international standards for compliance, governance, risk management, and customer protection.
The new licenses also give Binance something it has struggled to secure in places like the U.S. and parts of Europe: clear, stable legal footing. With hundreds of millions of users worldwide, the company is shifting toward a model built on tighter regulatory alignment instead of bouncing between friendly jurisdictions.
Binance plans to officially begin operating under its ADGM licenses on January 5, 2026.
UAE Regulation is Moving Fast
The UAE has been speeding up its digital-asset regulations. A new federal law that took effect in November imposes strict penalties on unlicensed crypto activity across all free zones, showing the country wants clean, transparent rules for everyone.
Binance has been expanding heavily in the UAE. During Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai earlier this month, many industry leaders pointed to the UAE’s regulatory clarity as a major advantage compared to other regions.
The country’s crypto infrastructure is also growing quickly:
- Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin was recently approved under ADGM as an “Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token,” allowing it to be used in regulated custody, trading, and payment systems.
- Binance Pay now lets businesses pay import and export duties through Dubai Customs using crypto, speeding up transactions for small and medium-sized companies.
When Binance officially launches under ADGM in January 2026, it will be the first time its global platform operates under a fully detailed, top-tier regulatory system.
