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ADGM introduces new licensing and governance requirements to provide regulatory clarity and attract crypto mining businesses to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi has introduced a dedicated licensing framework for cryptocurrency mining, becoming the first international financial centre in the region to establish specific commercial licensing and governance requirements for the sector.
The new guidance, issued by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority, outlines the licensing procedures, governance standards and oversight obligations for businesses involved in cryptocurrency mining.
Under the framework, crypto mining is classified as a commercial activity requiring a licence from the Registration Authority, rather than a financial service regulated by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
The guidance establishes a clear distinction between commercial mining operations and regulated financial activities. It also introduces a pre-application self-assessment process to help businesses identify the regulatory requirements applicable to their operations.
Mining companies must disclose their corporate structures, ultimate beneficial ownership and blockchain wallet addresses used to receive mining rewards. Information relating to these addresses will be submitted confidentially.
The framework adopts a risk-based supervisory approach, with oversight requirements determined by the scale and risk profile of each business. Additional provisions apply to ADGM-registered headquarters managing cryptocurrency mining operations internationally.
Issued under Section 23 of the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2025, the guidance aims to improve regulatory certainty for companies planning to establish or expand cryptocurrency mining activities in Abu Dhabi.
It also takes a technology-neutral approach, encompassing Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake and emerging blockchain consensus mechanisms, allowing the framework to accommodate future technological developments.
Rashed Al Blooshi, CEO of ADGM’s Registration Authority, highlighted the growing importance of cryptocurrency mining within Abu Dhabi’s digital economy.
“Abu Dhabi’s economy is increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, and crypto mining sits at the intersection of energy, technology and capital,” Al Blooshi said.
He added that the guidance provides responsible operators with a defined commercial licensing pathway, proportionate regulatory supervision and greater clarity on the boundaries of financial services regulation.
The regulatory initiative follows an eight-week public consultation conducted earlier in 2026, during which feedback from industry participants contributed to the framework’s development.
According to ADGM, the newly issued guidance represents the first stage of its regulatory approach to cryptocurrency mining.
A second phase will focus on developing a more comprehensive regulatory framework, which will be presented for further market consultation.
The development reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to strengthen its digital asset ecosystem and attract investment in blockchain technology, digital infrastructure and emerging financial technologies.
By establishing clearer licensing and operational standards, ADGM aims to provide businesses with a more predictable regulatory environment while supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to become a leading regional destination for digital infrastructure investment.
