Binance Wins Landmark Regulatory Approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market

Binance has secured its most significant regulatory milestone to date after the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) granted full authorisation for its global platform, Binance.com. The approval marks the first time the company’s main platform has been licensed under a comprehensive regulatory regime anywhere in the world, giving the exchange a major boost as it seeks to expand its role in regulated digital finance.

The decision places Binance under ADGM’s internationally recognised financial services framework through three licensed entities based in the financial free zone. Each entity has been approved to operate within specific regulatory categories designed to meet global standards:

● Nest Services Limited, soon to be renamed Nest Exchange Limited, has been authorised as a Recognised Investment Exchange. It is permitted to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility, allowing spot and derivatives trading on the Binance platform.

● Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognised Clearing House with added permissions for custody and central securities depository services. The entity will manage clearing, settlement and secure digital asset custody.

● BCI Limited, set to become Nest Trading Limited, has received a Broker-Dealer licence. It is authorised to deal in investments, arrange and manage assets and provide money services, covering Binance’s off-exchange products including OTC trading and currency conversion.

Richard Teng, Binance’s Co-CEO, said the approval reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to compliance and user protection. He noted that ADGM is regarded as one of the world’s most respected regulators and that securing an FSRA licence provides a strong foundation for global operations. Teng said the authorisation gives users confidence that Binance is operating under what he described as a “gold standard” regulatory framework.

He added that while the company will continue to operate through a distributed global structure, the new licence strengthens its ability to support institutional and retail users across multiple markets. The company said the approval enhances regulatory clarity and is expected to help accelerate entry into new jurisdictions.

ADGM Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi welcomed Binance to the financial centre, highlighting the exchange’s role in advancing financial innovation. He said the move reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international hub for digital assets and next-generation financial services.

Binance, which reports more than 300 million registered users and over $125 trillion in cumulative trading volume, views the authorisation as a key step in its global expansion strategy. The company expects to begin operations under ADGM’s regime on January 5, 2026.

The development marks another step in the UAE’s ambitions to position itself as a global centre for digital-asset regulation and innovation, attracting major international players seeking clear and stable oversight.