Coinbase secures ADGM licence in UAE to arrange and custody tokenised securities, expanding institutional blockchain infrastructure in Asia.
Regulation & Gov ·
Coinbase has obtained a licence from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to arrange and provide custody services for tokenised securities, according to reporting on the development. The licence positions the exchange to operate a blockchain-based infrastructure hub in the United Arab Emirates focused on digital asset settlement and safekeeping for equity markets.
Tokenised securities—digital representations of traditional stocks and bonds issued on blockchain networks—have drawn institutional interest as a mechanism for faster settlement and expanded market access. The ADGM authorization permits Coinbase to arrange transactions and hold custody of these assets within the emirate's regulatory framework, establishing operational capacity for institutional participants seeking exposure to blockchain-native equity trading.
The scope of Coinbase's intended use of the licence, the timeline for launch of services, and whether other exchanges or custodians are pursuing similar ADGM permissions remain unspecified. The broader adoption trajectory for tokenised securities as an asset class and the extent to which regulatory approvals in individual jurisdictions will accelerate institutional deployment are still developing.