Coinbase crypto exchange has designated Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as its international tokenization hub. It has made this announcement after securing a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The approval marks a significant step in the cryptocurrency exchange’s efforts to develop regulated on-chain financial infrastructure outside the United States. Earlier, Coinbase was associated with only offering services in the US.
Coinbase has established Abu Dhabi (ADGM) as our international tokenization hub.
Our newly acquired FSRA license means that we can now bring global securities to anyone with a wallet.
The next frontier of global finance is onchain, and we’re building it from the UAE. pic.twitter.com/nwPvHrWJYw
— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) August 11, 2026
The newly acquired license allows Coinbase to arrange investment transactions and provide custody services. These permissions provide the regulatory foundation for the exchange to introduce tokenized securities.
Coinbase Expands Tokenized Securities Access Through ADGM
Under the planned framework, Coinbase intends to issue securities tokens backed by underlying equities. Eligible holders could receive traditional shareholder rights, including dividend payments and voting rights, while holding the assets through a digital wallet.
The model will likely remove the need for investors to maintain a traditional securities brokerage account. Instead, eligible users would only require a compatible digital wallet to access the tokenized securities. Additionally, Coinbase will maintain compliance controls across the platform. Transfers will be subject to sanctions screening, while the company could freeze or seize assets at the wallet level when required under applicable regulations.
Abu Dhabi Becomes Key Hub for On-Chain Finance
Coinbase has positioned ADGM as a central component of its international on-chain capital markets and tokenized securities strategy. UAE has become an increasingly important market. The Abu Dhabi initiative will also complement Coinbase’s existing derivatives operations in Dubai to further strengthen its presence.
The tokenized equities introduced through this framework will be available only in eligible jurisdictions outside the United States. Their availability will therefore depend on applicable regulatory requirements and geographic eligibility. The development highlights the growing adoption of regulated tokenization which has boosted to 36 billion.