Returning for its 5th edition, this year’s Fintech Abu Dhabi will be held over 22 - 24 November 2021 in an exciting new hybrid format. Offering a combination of virtual and onsite sessions, attendees from across the globe.
Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) is a flagship initiative of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre.
An event that will bring together the local and international dispute resolution community in ADGM to tackle the biggest issues facing the industry, with inspiration, impact and transformation being strong themes for the discussion.
View ADGM's past and upcoming events.
The Online Registry Solution, is a digital platform that allows applicants to register, and maintain their company through online services without the need to visit the ADGM offices
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Electronic Prudential Reporting FSPRA Portal
LThe online registry solution is available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for registering and incorporating entities and searching for entities and their associated details.
Welcome to FSRAConnect
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Located in the heart of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Global Market is the leading, progressive and digital-first international financial centre.
The Government of Abu Dhabi and the leaders of ADGM are driven by a shared belief in the values of open governance, a modern and fair judiciary, economic responsibility and the nurturing of an enterprise-led economy that creates opportunities for all.
In a landmark year for ADGM’s global standing and commercial growth, 2021 was defined by significant investments in the development of Abu Dhabi’s workforce, a caseload of internationally significant, cross-border legal cases and the onboarding of a record number of global investors, corporations, entrepreneurs and fintech innovators.
Abu Dhabi is a thriving global hub for trade and industry, enabled by an advanced digital economy, world-leading physical infrastructure and a highly competitive tax and regulatory regime.
From state-of-the-art training facilities in the heart of ADGM, the ADGM Academy is an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic development, with a remit to conduct financial research, training, education, professional development and literacy for financial and legal professionals in Abu Dhabi and across the MENA region.
Leading the development of an international dispute resolution community, the ADGM Arbitration Centre is a world leader in arbitration thought leadership and a globally recognised resource for a diverse panel of mediators within a digitally-native infrastructure.
Setting up in ADGM
Our vibrant, digitally-native infrastructure and robust English common law framework is designed to give you the confidence to quickly, easily and safely set up and build your business in the ADGM ecosystem.
Providing an attractive home to banks offering transaction banking services
In a centre of wealth with over a trillion dollars of assets under management
Discover an open, progressive and international financial services sector
Converting currency and transmitting money to individuals and corporates across theworld
Fast, secure and accessible banking services
Discover a diverse range of product offerings with world markets connectivity
Investment exchanges, clearing houses, MTFs and OTFs
A leading destination of choice for virtual asset players
Taking a leading stance worldwide with a transparent approach towards regulation of securities
Where fund managers can establish a comprehensive selection of funds
A home for the full lifecycle of asset servicing
Think FinTech. Think ADGM.
One of the world's most active regulatory sandboxes
Enabling APIs, system virtual machines and applications that connect legacy systems
All ADGM registered entities have regular obligations they need to meet and comply wThe ideal platform to lead and grow your business in MENA
Establish your regional treasury at ADGM for a stable regional base
Establish your family business at the region's leading hub for wealth management and succession planning
Unrivalled access to business opportunities across the UAE and the wider region
Join a thriving ecosystem and gain access to a vibrant tech community
A supportive platform for industry and professional associations
Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are passive holding companies established for the purpose of isolating financial and legal risk by ring-fencing certain assets and liabilities.
The SPV regime at ADGM is designed to be flexible, robust, simple and efficient, benchmarked against leading alternatives around the world. We offer a quick, easy to use and fully digital registration process, with straightforward reporting requirements and transparent pricing.
ADGM is a vibrant business and lifestyle destination home to luxury retail and dining options, premium hospitality and world-class healthcare. This world-class retail environment is home to a selection of luxury boutiques, contemporary international brands and a wide array of dining options to suit every occasion.
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi's next generation shopping mall and lifestyle destination providing a whole new shopping, dining and entertainment experience. With 400 leading international brands, 100 unique restaurants and a wide variety of entertainment options, The Galleria mall has transformed the Abu Dhabi retail and lifestyle landscape.
Depending on the type of activities entities will be conducting and the type of licence they will be issued by ADGM, they may or may not be required to have office space on Al Maryah Island. Once contact is established with the ADGM team they will advise on office requirements on a case by case basis.
All Al Maryah Island real estate is owned, managed and leased by Mubadala, providing a single point of contact for all your office space needs. The ADGM team is also on hand to help all its clients with a smooth process of finding and leasing office space.
ACCESSADGM is a highly efficient, comprehensive and integrated online portal that provides a wide range of services including visas, permits, postal services, administrative letters, a Knowledge Center and much more.
All ADGM licensed entities must apply and obtain work permits for each individual working for their entity. Work permits can be requested through the online portal ACCESSADGM, and are issued electronically via the portal.
All ADGM registered entities have regular obligations they need to meet and comply with in order to remain part of the ADGM community.
ADGM registered entities are obliged to complete a specified number of filings on an annual basis, during the same period each year. These will more often than not fall on the anniversary of incorporation or registration of the entity.
An Event-driven Filing refers to an entity’s obligations to notify the Registrar of certain changes / events that occur with regards to the registered entities.
Registered freehold interests, leasehold interests, strata interests, mortgage, easements and covenant may be subject to post-registration requirements based on the nature of the registered interest and its lifecycle.
Money Laundering (ML) and Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) are two major risks that threaten economic growth and social stability through the illicit flow of funds and illegal activities.
ADGM published its first set of commercial rules and regulations that were enacted by its Board of Directors on 3 March 2015.
There are a number of options for closing down your ADGM limited company, including having the company struck off or liquidated.
The Economic Substance Regulations (“ESR”) was introduced as part of the UAE’s commitment as a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (“OECD”) Inclusive Framework,
The CSP Framework is designed to ensure a robust regulatory regime for company service providers in ADGM that is in line with international best practices and address the challenges and risks associated with the increasing growth of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and Foundations structures.
Being a licensed ADGM Company Service Provider (CSP) enables CSPs to provide company services (e.g. company formation, registered office address and company filing services), including company services to non-exempt SPVs and foundations under ADGM’s CSP Framework.
Under ADGM's CSP Framework, setting up and maintaining a non-exempt SPV or foundation requires an ADGM licensed Company Service Provider.
SPVs and foundations that demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar they are exempt, as set out under section 296A(3) of the Companies Regulations 2020 or section 18(2) of the Foundations Regulations 2017, as amended, are not required to appoint a Company Service Provider under the CSP Framework.
The table below lists all the entities that have been granted a licence by the Registration Authority to conduct Company Service Provider activities.
Will the SPV be a subsidiary undertaking an entity that has been established by law or decree issued by His Highness, the Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi or any Federal Law?
The Registration Authority (RA) has a statutory responsibility to oversee the regulated area of audit within the jurisdiction of ADGM.
The Framework provides enhanced powers for the Registration Authority (RA) in several areas. Rules 8, 11, 16 and Parts 9 and 10 of the Companies Regulations (Auditors) Rules 2021 cover these enhanced powers of the RA in detail.
Provide supporting documentation to show to the Registration Authority (RA) it meets the eligibility criteria and is a fit and proper firm to carry out audit work,
If you are operating in ADGM and need to appoint an auditor, you can find a list of Recognized Auditors on the Public Register.
Application forms must be completed by the ‘Registered Auditor’ (auditor) applicant and for each ‘Registered Audit Principal’ (principal) nominated by the auditor.
To help guide your business efficiently, ADGM continually issues various documents and notices to numerous documents and notices.
The FSRA adopts a risk-based approach to regulation, focusing our efforts on those activities that we perceive as posing the greatest risk to the furtherance of our objectives.
The Basel AML Index 2017 edition provides risk ratings based on the quality of a country's framework for AML and countering terrorism financing (AML/CFT) and related factors such as perceived levels of corruption, financial sector standards and public transparency.
UAE mutual evaluation assessment by FATF/MENAFATF and follow-up reports
Below is a list of forms that each applicant may be required to complete, applicable to their intended activities within ADGM.
It is important to note that the ADGM AML Rules should be read in context to the relevant UAE Federal Laws and Legislation.
The FATF has responded to the threat of illicit proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by updating its standards to include measures on the implementation of targeted financial sanctions related to proliferation.
Lawyers, notaries, other independent legal professionals and accountants. This refers to sole practitioners, partners or employed professionals within professional firms.
The Federal Decree by Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations creates an obligation on all Relevant Person to report suspicious activities directly through its electronic system or by any other means approved by the FIU of the UAE.
Tax avoidance and tax evasion threaten government revenues. In many other countries, the lost revenues run into billions of United States dollars.
The Office of Data Protection Presentations, Flyers and Brochures.
Countries should identify, assess, and understand the money laundering and terrorist financing risks for the country, and take action, including designating an authority or mechanism to coordinate actions to assess risks, and apply resources, aimed at ensuring the risks are mitigated effectively.
ADGM offers additional services for both registered entities and third parties. .
The Corporate Relations team supports registered entities and their employees by working closely with the relevant government authorities and providing a simple and streamlined process, and one point of contact.
A Legal Entity Identity (LEI) number is a unique 20-character alphanumeric string (i.e. 529900T8BM49AURSDO55) used to distinctly represent a legal entity (company, organisation, firm, government body, trust, fund, others) on a worldwide basis.
Where a company creates a charge, the Registration Authority will register charges against the name of the company in ADGM through applicable provisions of the relevant ADGM Regulations.
Both ADGM registered entities and third parties are able to apply for official letters from ADGM including NOCs, via ACCESSADGM. Applicants will receive real-time notifications via the portal.
Third parties and ADGM registered retail entities who are interested in having a temporary promotional stand, kiosk or food carts on Al Maryah Island must file an application for a temporary licence with ADGM, prior to commencing operations.
The Registration Authority accepts applications for registration of all types of real property interests located within Al Maryah Island.
The Office of Data Protection is responsible for promoting data protection within ADGM, maintaining the register of Data Controllers, enforcing the obligations upon Data Controllers and upholding the rights of individuals
Under the regime, ADGM registered entities that collect, receive and process your personal data must comply with certain obligations in order to protect that data.
ADGM’s Data Protection Regulations 2021 require every ADGM registered entity that processes personal information (i.e. a ’Data Controller’) to register with the Office of Data Protection at the Registration Authority and renew its registration annually.
The ADGM Standard Contractual Clauses (“SCCs”) is an appropriate safeguard under Article 42(2) of the Regulations to transfer personal data from the ADGM to a third party located in a third country or jurisdiction that does not provide an adequate level of protection
To ensure the protection of Personal Data that is transferred out of ADGM, our data protection regime follows the European Commission approach of designating jurisdictions that are deemed adequate from a data privacy and protection perspective.
ADGM registered entities that process Personal Data (i.e. Data Controllers) as well as other entities appointed to process personal data on their behalf (i.e. Data Processors), are required to be registered with the Registration Authority.
Data Controllers must inform the Office of Data Protection of a data breach. ‘Data Controller’ means any ADGM registered entity that alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data.
The GPA (previously “ICDPPC”) is the premier global forum for data protection authorities. It is a worldwide annual forum at which independent regulators on privacy, data protection and freedom of information adopt high level resolutions and recommendations addressed to governments and international organisations.
The Employment Affairs Office is a dedicated office within ADGM that oversees the operations of the Employment Regulations in respect to providing guidance, stakeholder liaison and ensuring best practice on employment matters.
Foster employment practices that will contribute to the prosperity of ADGM
ADGM government related services can be accessed through ACCESSADGM client portal, a highly efficient, comprehensive and integrated online portal that has contributed to enhancing our ease of doing business and enjoying a seamless digital experience by our clients.
ADGM's Electronic Prudential Reporting System (EPRS), a portal dedicated to simplifying the submission of regulatory filings. Financial services entities can login to the EPRS to submit a return or to see upcoming filing requirements.
FSRA Connect is a digital portal for ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
After registering your business, you can take advantage of a number of registration and licensing services. Find out how you can benefit.
The RA works closely with relevant government authorities and services to provide a simple, streamlined process, and one point of contact to guide you through the visa process.
Parties looking to set up promotional stands, kiosks or food carts on Al Maryah Island must file an application for a temporary licence.
The Registration Authority is accepting applications for registration of all types of real property interests located within Al Maryah Island.
All circulars related to registered entities in ADGM can be viewed here.
Find out what you need to know to operate and grow your business in ADGM.
The RA needs to be officially informed by ADGM registered entities of specific changes to entity information within a set period of time. Failure to do so will result in fines.
RA issues all letters including NOC as well as events, photography and filming permits for activities on Al Maryah Island. Application is online through the ACCESSADGM portal.
Responsible for promoting data protection, maintaining the register of Data Controllers, enforcing the obligations upon Data Controllers and upholding the rights of individuals.
Responsible for overseeing the operations of the Employment Regulations in respect to providing guidance, stakeholder liaison and ensuring best practice on employment matters.
The RA’s Monitoring & Enforcement function strives to prevent and deter improper conduct through risk based supervision and enforcement of ADGM’s commercial regulations and rules.
The RA assesses complaints concerning potential contraventions of ADGM’s commercial legislation or potential misconduct by non-financial businesses registered in ADGM.
All notices regarding registered entities issued by the RA can be viewed here.
A sound regulatory framework of clear and transparent rules, benchmarked against international standards and global best practices.
Financial services entities registered in ADGM need to meet specific obligations set out by the FSRA. These obligations are in addition to standard obligations that all ADGM registered entities are required to meet.
Playing a critical role in fulfilling the objectives of ADGM, the FSRA acts swiftly and decisively to address and deter conduct that may adversely affect the integrity of the ADGM or the stability of the financial services industry in the ADGM.
A sound regulatory framework of clear and transparent rules, benchmarked against international standards and global best practices
The Appeals Panel is in place to promote proper observance of due process. Learn more about how the Appeals Panel helps ensure consistency, transparent and proportionate use of the FSRA’s powers.
The FSRA assesses regulatory complaints concerning potential contraventions of regulations and rules that the FSRA administers, potential misconduct by any person that it regulates, or any conduct that will prevent the FSRA from meeting its objectives, including any activities that may cause damage to the reputation of ADGM.
ADGM is committed to promoting sound practices in financial crime compliance which include AML/CFT, and compliance with international tax reporting obligations including FATCA and CRS.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority welcomes financial services firms and institutions who wish to establish their presence in Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone.
Applicant will be required to fill out the requisite forms when making an application to conduct financial services regulated activities in ADGM. The forms include guidance notes and should be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation.
ADGM has the most sophisticated regulatory frameworks for financial services, particularly for FinTech, providing clarity, transparency and security for entrepreneurs and their investors.
Browse our legislation and procedures including our regulations, rules, court procedure rules and practice directions.
Access all judgments published by ADGM Courts.
View our hearings calendar
ADGM Courts publish a fully searchable list of all cases before them.
Download our forms, view our fees and access guides and procedural flow charts.
Read our MoUs on enforcement and judicial collaboration and the Chief Justice’s Directions on recognised foreign courts.
Access the Pro Bono Scheme established by the Court to enable individuals with limited financial means to receive legal assistance at no cost.
Access the notary public and wills service provided in partnership between ADGM Courts and Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
ADGM Courts support alternative dispute resolution. Find out more about our procedures for court-annexed mediation.
Creating impact through strategy and planning over all horizons to ensure ADGM continues to thrive and meet its stakeholders' needs
Laying the foundations for critical growth and long-term value creation for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through building enduring relationships across a broad range of stakeholders and markets
Connecting ADGM through ensuring leading information technology infrastructure using state-of-the-art technology and new ideas
Attracting and retaining top talent for ADGM, ensuring it remains at the leading edge of the international IFC landscape
TManaging and deploying ADGM's financial resources to ensure sustainable growth and longevity
Building and preserving the vibrant ADGM ecosystem through the provision of best-in-class services across a range of areas
Communicating ADGM's unique value proposition to a broad range of stakeholders from internal, external, local and international, to provide increased awareness of ADGM and its offering
Adroitly managing public tenders and vendors to acquire the services required to further bolster ADGM's offering
Upholding data protection and mitigating potential threats standard business operations to enhance trust and confidence in ADGM
Enacting positive change through the support of businesses and their growth.
Since its inception in 2015, ADGM has taken active strides in recruiting a talented pool of women professionals and graduate entrants who today make up close to half of its total workforce.
ADGM aims to develop a vibrant and thriving sustainable finance hub that supports capital formation, raising and deployment as well as the creation and issuance of products to achieve positive economic, social and environmental objectives.
Comprehensive framework and pathway for outstanding Emirati lawyers.
FinTech Abu Dhabi’s content is now available for you to watch, or re-watch, on demand at a time that suits you.
Plotting the Path to Meet Net-Zero Targets: Energizing Efforts for Action.
The online registry solution is available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for registering and incorporating entities and searching for entities and their associated details.
The official Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) public register of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
In our continuous efforts to provide outstanding professional and support services at ADGM.
Individuals listed in this register have been authorised to conduct controlled activities pursuant to the relevant sections of ADGM Commercial Licensing Regulations 2015 (Conditions of License and Branch Registration) Rules 2019.
If you are operating in ADGM and need to appoint an auditor, you can find a list of ADGM registered auditors, both firms and individuals.
ADGM provides market participants with a world-class legal system and regulatory regime.
Federal Legislation establishes ADGM as a Financial Free Zone.
The Abu Dhabi Law No. (4) of 2013 sets out the governance, legislative, and regulatory framework and activities to be carried on in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
ADGM informs public and marketplace plans, unveils comments on proposed initiatives and rules ammendments through public consultations.
ADGM is publishing guidance notes issued by the UAE Ministry of Finance, to support knowledge sharing with regards to FATCA and CRS.
ADGM and its three Authorities have issued relevant guidance to communicate and explain the principles that underpin the legal framework, which is based on English Common Law.
Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2015 Application of English Law Regulations.
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