BurjX Launches with Full ADGM License: A Homegrown Challenger Steps Onto the Global Stage
After two back-to-back launch events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it’s clear that BurjX didn’t just enter the scene — it arrived with intent.
Over the past week, I’ve had the chance to moderate and observe conversations with the two founders, Omar Abbas and Adam Ferris, and one thing stood out: BurjX wasn’t built to ride the wave of UAE’s crypto boom — it was built to anchor it.
Now officially licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, BurjX launches as a fully regulated digital asset brokerage and custodian, supporting over 100 approved digital assets and full AED banking integration via Zand Bank.
“We came to the UAE to build something that reflects the future of this region: regulated, trusted, and globally competitive,” said Omar Abbas, Co-Founder and CEO of BurjX, who previously co-founded NDAX, Canada’s leading crypto exchange. “Securing our FSRA license and launching with 100+ approved assets is proof of what’s possible when you build with conviction from the ground up. We’re not another imported platform entering the UAE. We’re a homegrown one, built here to lead globally.”
“It’s rare to see a startup go live with this level of regulatory and technical execution,” added Adam Ferris, Co-Founder and Chairman, a Harvard JD/MBA graduate and former Goldman Sachs executive. “This launch validates the strength of our infrastructure, the caliber of our team, and our ambition to position BurjX as a global player from day one.”
A Platform Built for Scale — But Grounded in Trust
BurjX enters the market with NASDAQ-grade infrastructure, capable of handling over 1 million transactions per second, and Fireblocks-powered custody under the oversight of ADGM — combining speed, liquidity, and regulatory depth in a single platform.
The platform also features instant AED on-ramp capabilities through Zand Bank — turning dirhams into digital assets within seconds, while remaining compliant with one of the world’s most advanced virtual asset frameworks.
Serving Private Wealth Alongside Retail
While BurjX will serve a growing retail user base, it is also targeting institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals through its Private Client Division. The firm promises white-glove OTC services, tailored execution, and dedicated coverage — a signal that its ambitions go beyond mass onboarding and into bespoke digital asset finance.
A Market Full of Exchanges — But Maybe Now, One with a Soul
The UAE is already crowded with crypto exchanges — most of them Dubai-based, operating under VARA’s regime. But ADGM may have just gained something it hasn’t had until now: a licensed platform with real soul.
BurjX isn’t just professional — it’s deeply personal. From speaking with Omar and Adam, you get the sense that this isn’t just a business venture. It feels like they’ve poured their entire life savings, energy, and belief into something they couldn’t let fail.
That sentiment matters. In a market flooded with platforms, it’s easy to confuse volume with value. But trust — real trust — is built by people who are all in.
BurjX may just be that rare case: a regulated exchange with infrastructure to scale, and founders whose passion might be its most valuable asset of all.
