# Financial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement (Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM))

Source page: https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/adgm/

The Financial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement is issued by Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) under the Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015. The official register lists 18 current holders. The legal decision period is Within a reasonable time from submission of a complete application. The application fee is USD 20,000. Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.

## At a glance

| Official name | Financial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement [1] |
| --- | --- |
| Issued by | [Financial Services Regulatory Authority](https://protegra.io/licensing/regulators/fsra-adgm/) |
| Jurisdiction | [Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)](https://protegra.io/licensing/jurisdictions/adgm/) |
| Licence family | [Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/) |
| Legal basis | Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 [2]; FSRA Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Rulebook (AML) [3] |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Application fee | USD 20,000 [1] |
| Annual fee | USD 15,000 [1] |
| Statutory decision time | Within a reasonable time from submission of a complete application [4] |
| Public register | [official register](https://www.adgm.com/public-registers/fsra/firms) [5] |
| Current holders | 18 [5] |

## What it lets you do

- [Virtual asset exchange (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-exchange/)
- [Virtual asset transfer (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-transfer/)
- [Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF)](https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/vasp-custody/)

- **Virtual asset exchange (FATF).** Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or for other virtual assets as a business, as defined in the FATF glossary.
- **Virtual asset transfer (FATF).** Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person.
- **Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF).** Safekeeping or administering virtual assets, or instruments enabling control over them, for another person.

## Where it is valid

_Valid in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)._

## Cost

_Regulatory costs from the official sources above. Professional fees, staff, office and audit come on top and depend on the business model._

## Buying a company that already holds it

**Prior approval required.** Under FSMR section 105 and GEN 8.8, prior written approval from the FSRA is required before a person becomes a controller or increases control across 20%, 30%, or 50% thresholds. A controller is defined as holding 10% or more of voting rights or capital, or exercising significant influence. The statutory determination period is 90 days from receipt of a complete notice, accompanied by a USD 1,000 application fee. [6]

Ready-made companies holding this licence: [see verified positions](https://protegra.io/companies/crypto-digital-assets/).

## Laws behind it

- [Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-adgm-fsmr-2015/): Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015

## Getting this licence

Protegra handles this licence end to end: [crypto licensing in ADGM](https://protegra.io/adgm-uae): process, timeline and our fee.

## Sources

1. [en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com: 24820](https://en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com/entiresection/24820): retrieved 2026-09-24
2. [en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com: financial services and markets regulations 2015 0](https://en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/financial-services-and-markets-regulations-2015-0): retrieved 2026-09-24
3. [en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com: anti money laundering and sanctions rulebook aml ver11210526](https://en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com/rulebook/anti-money-laundering-and-sanctions-rulebook-aml-ver11210526): retrieved 2026-09-24
4. [en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com: 12521](https://en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com/entiresection/12521): retrieved 2026-09-24
5. [adgm.com: firms](https://www.adgm.com/public-registers/fsra/firms): retrieved 2026-09-24
6. [en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com: 7993](https://en.adgm.thomsonreuters.com/entiresection/7993): retrieved 2026-09-24

Last verified 2026-09-24 · Author: Danil Marmysh · Reviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova · © Protegra. Data: CC BY 4.0, cite "Protegra Licensing Atlas". Not legal advice.