Binance Global Moves Into the UAE as Binancecom Secures Full ADGM Authorization
Binance has taken its most decisive step yet toward the UAE. After years of operating licensed entities in Dubai under VARA, in Abu Dhabi for custody through ADGM, and in Bahrain, the company’s global platform—Binance.com, where the majority of user activity and global trading volume takes place—remained outside the UAE’s regulatory umbrella. All previous approvals applied only to local subsidiaries.
That separation ends now.
At Binance Blockchain Week Dubai, Co-CEO Richard Teng emphasized that Binance is now regulated in 21 jurisdictions worldwide. This latest move marks the company’s strongest regulatory alignment with the UAE to date: Binance.com itself has been authorized under Abu Dhabi Global Market’s (ADGM) framework, bringing the exchange’s global operations into the UAE for the first time.
According to the announcement, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM has formally approved the authorization of Binance.com under a comprehensive multi-entity structure.
Nest Services Limited (to be renamed Nest Exchange Limited) has been approved as a Recognized Investment Exchange “RIE”, with permission to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility for spot and derivatives trading.
Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognized Clearing House “RCH”, with additional permissions to provide custody and CSD services.
BCI Limited (to be renamed Nest Trading Limited) has been approved as a Broker-Dealer with permissions to deal in investments, arrange deals, manage assets, arrange custody, and provide money services.
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.”
He 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 stated that its global platform supports more than 300 million registered users and has processed over $125 trillion in cumulative trading volume. Binance.com is expected to begin its ADGM-regulated activities on January 5, 2026, subject to final operational preparations.
This development continues a pattern of increased alignment between Binance and Abu Dhabi. In late October, Unlock Blockchain highlighted this trajectory in its report on the Trump pardon of CZ, noting the company’s growing proximity to the UAE capital. With Binance.com now authorized under ADGM’s regulatory framework, the exchange’s global footprint is more closely tied to Abu Dhabi than ever before.
While Binance has not declared Abu Dhabi as its headquarters, the regulatory positioning of Binance.com under ADGM places the emirate at the center of the exchange’s next global chapter—and marks the strongest phase yet of Binance Global UAE.
