Alpaca Moves Closer to UAE Market Entry with Preliminary ADGM Approval

Alpaca, a provider of brokerage and clearing infrastructure, has secured in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for its subsidiary, Alpaca Clearing & Custody ME Ltd, as it pursues a financial services license.

The approval marks a step forward in Alpaca’s plans to expand its regulated presence in the United Arab Emirates and broaden its services for financial institutions and fintech companies across the region. Subject to final authorization, the company intends to offer brokerage and virtual asset custody services within the scope permitted by the regulator.

The move would also give regional partners greater access to Alpaca’s API-driven brokerage infrastructure, enabling them to integrate investment services into their own platforms.

Alpaca Targets Growing Demand for Digital Brokerage Infrastructure

Commenting on the development, Hatem Al Arabi, CEO of Alpaca Middle East, said the UAE has emerged as a key link between regional and international financial markets, supported by its developing financial services and technology ecosystem.

Establishing a regulated presence in Abu Dhabi, he added, would help Alpaca strengthen its relationships with regional institutions and connect them to the company’s global brokerage infrastructure. He described the approval as an important milestone in Alpaca’s efforts to build a long-term presence in the Middle East.

Alpaca has already established relationships with financial institutions and fintech platforms across the region, spanning digital investing, savings and brokerage services. The company plans to build on these partnerships through its regional team and global infrastructure as it continues investing in the market.

UAE Becomes Another Market in Alpaca’s Global Expansion

The UAE forms part of Alpaca’s broader strategy to develop brokerage infrastructure within regulated financial markets worldwide. The company has a regulatory presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, India and the Bahamas, and supports a global network of partners in more than 50 countries.

Securing authorization in Abu Dhabi would add another market to that footprint, while positioning Alpaca to serve regional financial firms seeking to incorporate brokerage and investment capabilities into their products.

ADGM Attracts Firms Building Financial Services Infrastructure

The Alpaca ADGM approval highlights ADGM’s role as a destination for financial services companies seeking to expand across the Middle East within an established regulatory framework. It also reflects demand for infrastructure that allows financial institutions to integrate brokerage, investment and digital asset custody services into existing platforms rather than build those capabilities in-house.

However, the in-principle approval does not constitute a final license. Alpaca must still satisfy the relevant regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary authorization before launching the proposed services.

The practical impact of the approval will therefore depend on the final scope of its license and the company’s ability to turn its regulatory progress into operational services and partnerships across the region.