Abu Dhabi boasts first-class infrastructure and unparalleled global connectivity, making it a premier international destination. Its exceptional qualities make it an ideal location to live, work, and conduct business.
A financial centre that provides transparency, efficiency, and integrity, through its progressive frameworks, future focused infrastructure, all within a familiar independent legal jurisdiction – ADGM is the perfect platform for success.
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Digital assets enabled by distributed ledger technology present new opportunities to monetise and transfer assets, unlocking liquidity, economic growth, and financial inclusion. As a thought leader in driving the responsible development of financial innovation, ADGM is the first in the region to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets to foster new business models and investment choices, while providing for robust investor protection, transparent and efficient financial markets.
ADGM’s regulatory framework caters to a diverse suite of business activities and product offerings in relation to Virtual Assets, Digital Securities, and Derivatives and Funds of digital assets. Financial services entities that wish to carry on such activities in ADGM must apply for a Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) under the applicable financial services regulations.
Positioning itself as a destination of choice for virtual asset investors and in response to global demand from the industry, ADGM is the first jurisdiction in the region to introduce a comprehensive and bespoke regulatory framework for the regulation of spot virtual asset activities, including those undertaken by multilateral trading facilities, brokers, custodians, asset managers and other intermediaries.
ADGM’s regulatory clarity and sophistication facilitate the operation of industry leading virtual asset players in a business-friendly environment. The regulatory framework addresses the full range of associated risks, including those relating to market abuse and financial crime, investor protection, technology governance, custody and exchange operations.
The FSRA is the first regulator globally to regulate platforms that enable the trading of Virtual Assets as Multilateral Trading Facilities. Under the FSRA's regime, Multilateral Trading Facilities for Virtual Assets are required to meet requirements in relation to market surveillance, settlement, transaction monitoring and recording, transparency and other systems and controls. In order to foster institutional involvement within virtual asset markets, the FSRA focuses on proper governance, oversight and transparency in relation to actors within this space.
Any digital token that exhibits the characteristics of a Security will be deemed and regulated as a Security by the FSRA. Issuers and businesses, locally and globally, can take advantage of ADGM’s best in class framework to raise capital and manage their investments in an efficient manner via the issuance and trading of Digital Securities in and from ADGM.
Derivatives over Digital Assets, and Collective Investment Funds investing in Digital Assets, are regulated as Derivatives and Units in a Fund by the FSRA. Market operators and intermediaries dealing in such Derivatives and Funds are required to be licensed by the FSRA.
Financial Services entities looking to set up in ADGM are required to secure approval from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority before proceeding with registration.
Applicants are required to fill out the requisite forms and provide all the necessary information required when making an application.
With the information provided, the FSRA Authorisation Team will assess whether the applicants meet the admission requirements, including the following aspects:
A thoroughly and accurately completed application as specified in the forms, will expedite this process.
To download all Application Forms click here.
For information on applicable fees click here.
Call or meet with one of our FSRA Authorisation Team for an initial discussion on your requirements. In preparation for the meeting, Applicant will need to have a regulatory plan, setting out the planned regulated activities, internal controls and resources to address the related risks.
Submit the completed application form, and any documentation required, along with the application fee.
Authorisation Team will review your application, follow up on any clarifications, conduct interviews with the Approved Person and fill in any information gaps.
Applicant will be notified if the application has been approved in principle, subject to conditions.
If Applicant accepts the in principle approval conditions, the Applicant must prepare to satisfy these conditions and proceed with capitalisation and hiring and contacting the ADGM Registration Authority to start the process of Commercial Licence application.
Once these conditions are met, ADGM will issue the Applicant's Financial Services Permission.
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