Catenaa, Tuesday, December 09, 2025-Binance has obtained three regulatory approvals from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market, allowing its global platform to operate exchange, clearing, and broker-dealer activities.
The licences were granted during Abu Dhabi Finance Week and strengthen Binance’s compliance framework while supporting institutional trading in the Middle East.
Under the new structure, Nest Exchange Limited, formerly Nest Services, will manage spot and derivatives markets as a recognized investment exchange. Nest Clearing and Custody Limited will handle clearing, settlement, and safekeeping of digital assets.
A third entity, BCI Limited, renamed Nest Trading Limited, holds a broker-dealer licence covering investment dealings, asset management, custody, and over-the-counter trading.
Binance says the approvals provide regulatory clarity and legitimacy, offering a predictable framework for institutional clients wary of loosely regulated venues.
The exchange’s co-CEO Richard Teng emphasized that the authorizations allow Binance to maintain a distributed operating model while basing global operations from Abu Dhabi.
The emirate has been increasing its footprint in crypto, with sovereign funds investing heavily in digital assets, including a nearly $518 million position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust.
Binance also received a $2 billion investment from AI-focused investor MGX, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s support for the exchange.
Following prior regulatory challenges and legal settlements in the US, Binance now serves over 300 million users with cumulative trading volume exceeding $125 trillion.
The company recently promoted co-founder Yi He to co-CEO, strengthening its leadership as it leans into regulated markets and positions Abu Dhabi as a potential global headquarters.
