Abu Dhabi introduces dedicated licensing framework for crypto mining

Abu Dhabi has introduced new guidance setting out commercial licensing and governance requirements for cryptocurrency mining businesses, becoming the first international financial center in the region to establish a dedicated framework for the activity.

The Guidance, published by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority, sets out licensing, governance, and oversight requirements for businesses conducting crypto mining activities from an international financial center in the region.

Under the guidance, crypto mining will be treated as a licensable commercial activity overseen by the Registration Authority rather than a regulated financial service.

The framework also draws a distinction between commercial mining and activities regulated by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), with a pre-application self-assessment to help operators determine the appropriate regulatory requirements.

Businesses will be expected to disclose their corporate structures, ultimate beneficial ownership, and, on a confidential basis, blockchain addresses used to receive mining rewards.

Regulatory oversight will be proportionate to the size and risk profile of each operation, with additional provisions for ADGM-registered headquarters overseeing international activities.

Issued under Section 23 of the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2025, the guidance is intended to provide greater regulatory certainty for operators seeking to establish or expand their activities in Abu Dhabi.

It will adopt a technology-neutral approach, covering Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake, and future blockchain consensus mechanisms.

“Abu Dhabi’s economy is increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, and crypto mining sits at the intersection of energy, technology and capital,” said Rashed Al Blooshi, CEO of ADGM’s Registration Authority.

“With this Guidance, ADGM is open to responsible crypto mining. We are giving operators a clear commercial licensing pathway, proportionate supervision calibrated to scale and risk, and certainty on where the regulatory perimeter resides.”

The framework comes after an eight-week public consultation held earlier this year, during which industry feedback helped shape the requirements.

It marks the first phase of the Registration Authority’s approach to crypto mining. In the second phase, the authority plans to develop a broader regulatory framework, which will be opened for market consultation.

The move comes as Abu Dhabi continues to expand its digital asset ecosystem, seeking to attract businesses operating in emerging technologies while strengthening its position as a destination for digital infrastructure investment.