ADGM Publishes Dedicated Crypto Mining Guidance

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has published dedicated guidance for crypto mining activities conducted within or from its jurisdiction, setting out commercial licensing requirements, governance expectations and a risk-based approach to supervision.

The guidance, issued by ADGM’s Registration Authority (RA) on October 28, treats crypto mining as a licensable commercial activity rather than a regulated financial service. ADGM says the publication makes it the first international financial center in the region to introduce dedicated guidance for the sector.

Crypto Mining Requires a Commercial License

Under the guidance, businesses conducting crypto mining activities within or from ADGM must obtain the relevant commercial license under activity code 7230. The framework is technology-neutral, covering Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and future consensus mechanisms.

The RA has also clarified the boundary between commercial crypto mining and activities that fall under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). A pre-application self-assessment is intended to help businesses determine where their activities sit within the regulatory perimeter.

The guidance sets out governance and transparency expectations, including disclosure of corporate structures and ultimate beneficial ownership. Operators must also confidentially disclose the on-chain addresses associated with their reward flows.

Oversight Will Reflect the Scale of Operations

The RA said its supervisory approach will be proportionate to the scale and risk profile of individual mining operations. The guidance also addresses oversight by ADGM-registered headquarters managing crypto mining activities across international markets.

The approach follows a public consultation launched earlier in 2026. According to the RA, feedback from the eight-week consultation informed the final guidance.

ADGM first outlined its proposed approach in January, when it published a discussion paper seeking industry feedback on commercial licensing, governance and supervision.

Broader Crypto Mining Framework Planned

The published guidance is the first phase of the RA’s approach to crypto mining. In a second phase, the authority plans to develop a regulatory framework for the activity and consult the market on its proposals.

The guidance therefore establishes the RA’s current licensing direction and supervisory expectations, while leaving a more comprehensive framework for a later stage.

For mining operators considering Abu Dhabi, the publication provides greater clarity on the commercial licensing process and the governance standards expected of businesses operating within or from ADGM.