Abu Dhabi, January 6, 2026, 04:47 (GST)
- Binance said it has moved its global platform under Abu Dhabi Global Market supervision as of Jan. 5
- Trading, clearing/custody and off-exchange services are now split across three ADGM-licensed “Nest” entities
- Binance said users’ access and balances are unchanged, but legal terms and data control have been updated
Binance said its global platform has officially transitioned to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) regulatory framework, placing key operations under the supervision of the market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The crypto exchange said the changes took effect on Jan. 5. 1
The move matters because it assigns clear, regulated roles for trading, custody and derivatives risk management at a time when large venues are under pressure to show tighter oversight and cleaner legal structures. It also underscores the UAE’s push to position itself as a hub for supervised digital-asset activity.
Binance said the new setup mirrors how traditional financial markets are organized, splitting responsibilities across an exchange, a clearing house and a broker-dealer. In plain terms, that separates matching trades, holding customer assets, and handling certain off-exchange deals.
Under the structure, Nest Exchange Limited — previously Nest Services Limited — runs exchange activities, including spot and derivatives trading, Binance said. It is recognized as an investment exchange with permission to operate a multilateral trading facility, a type of regulated venue where multiple buyers and sellers trade under set rules.
Clearing and custody sit with Nest Clearing and Custody Limited, formerly Binance (AD) Limited, Binance said. The firm is a recognized clearing house and acts as the “central counterparty” for on-exchange derivatives — meaning it stands between buyer and seller to manage settlement and default risk.
Binance said that at 08:00 UTC on Jan. 5, open on-exchange derivatives positions were “given up” for clearing to Nest Clearing and Custody Limited. It also said user digital assets move under that custody model, with exceptions including assets frozen under court or agency orders issued before that time and assets tied to Canadian-resident users whose accounts are in withdrawal-only mode.
The exchange also rewired its user contracts and privacy setup. Binance said existing terms were novated — a legal transfer of a contract to a new party — so users’ relationships now continue with the relevant ADGM-regulated entities depending on the product.
Each of the three ADGM-regulated entities will act as a separate “data controller,” Binance said, meaning each one is legally responsible for how personal data is handled for the services it provides. Users will be prompted to confirm updated terms at login, the company added.
Operationally, Binance said it does not expect day-to-day use to change. Users will keep the same logins and account history, and balances and trading functionality remain unaffected, though some products and services may not be available in certain regions, it said.
In a Dec. 8 statement announcing the licensing framework, Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said, “Achieving regulatory status through ADGM’s respected framework reflects our deep commitment to compliance, transparency, and user protection.” 2
The UAE has been competing for digital-asset business, with exchanges seeking local approvals across different regulatory regimes. OKX secured a Dubai licence in 2024 to target retail clients, while Kraken won an Abu Dhabi licence in 2022 to operate in ADGM, Reuters previously reported. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/crypto-exchange-okx-secures-dubai-licence-target-retail-clients-2024-01-16/ https://www.reuters.com/technology/abu-dhabi-licences-kraken-operate-crypto-exchange-2022-04-25/
Still, the overhaul does not eliminate uncertainty for users in tightly regulated markets. Binance warned the announcement was general and that availability depends on jurisdiction — and it carved out exceptions for frozen assets and some Canadian accounts, highlighting how local legal actions can still shape access and custody outcomes.
