ADGM Charts Course for Crypto Mining with First Regional Guidance Framework

Abu Dhabi's international financial centre has established itself as the region's pioneer in crypto mining governance, publishing comprehensive guidance that balances innovation with rigorous oversight.

The Registration Authority of ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, has released its Guidance on Crypto Mining Activities, marking a significant moment in the emirate’s evolution as a hub for emerging technologies. The framework offers operators a clear commercial licensing pathway while maintaining proportionate supervision calibrated to the scale and risk profile of each operation.

The Guidance treats crypto mining as a licensable commercial activity rather than a regulated financial service, adopting a technology-neutral approach that applies across Proof-of-Work, Proof-of-Stake and future consensus mechanisms. It establishes a dedicated commercial licence for crypto mining under business activity code 7230, clarifying the distinction between commercial operations and activities regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.

Rashed Al Blooshi, Chief Executive Officer of the RA of ADGM, emphasised the significance of this framework. “Abu Dhabi’s economy is increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, and crypto mining sits at the intersection of energy, technology and capital,” he explained. “With this Guidance, ADGM is open to responsible crypto mining. Businesses that meet high standards of governance, transparency and operational integrity will find in Abu Dhabi a jurisdiction where they can plan, invest and grow with confidence.”

The Guidance incorporates robust governance requirements, including disclosure of corporate structure and ultimate beneficial ownership, alongside confirmation of confidential disclosure of on-chain reward-flow addresses. A pre-application self-assessment process enables operators to determine which regulatory regime applies to their activities. This framework reflects ADGM’s regulatory priorities for 2026-2027, which emphasise enhanced governance and transparency across the international financial centre.

The Registration Authority adopted a risk-based supervisory approach informed by an eight-week public consultation conducted earlier in the year. This collaborative process ensured that the Guidance reflected substantive market feedback, tailoring requirements appropriately while providing greater regulatory certainty for operators establishing activities from Abu Dhabi.

The publication represents the first phase of the Registration Authority’s approach to crypto mining in ADGM. A second phase will develop a regulatory framework for the activity, on which the RA will consult with the market in due course, ensuring continued evolution of the governance environment as the sector matures.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This Guidance positions Abu Dhabi at the forefront of digital assets regulation across the region, attracting responsible crypto mining operators seeking a well-governed jurisdiction with clarity on regulatory requirements. By establishing a clear commercial licensing pathway separate from financial services regulation, ADGM enables the sector to develop within a trusted framework that protects the emirate’s reputation for integrity and transparency.

The framework supports Abu Dhabi’s broader economic vision by providing the regulatory certainty that responsible operators require to establish and scale their activities. This alignment between innovation enablement and rigorous governance reflects the emirate’s commitment to becoming a catalyst for emerging technologies while maintaining the highest standards of oversight and compliance.

Source: WAM

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