Binance in the UAE: Regulations and Market Integration

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has been steadily expanding its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), positioning itself as a key player in the region’s rapidly evolving digital economy. Founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Yi He, the exchange has undergone significant transformation — from its early days in China, through various relocations amid regulatory crackdowns, to its current global, decentralized operational model.

Since November 2023, Binance has been under the leadership of Richard Teng, a former regulator in Singapore and the UAE. Teng’s appointment marked a turning point for the company, ushering in a new era of transparency, regulatory alignment, and corporate governance. Under his guidance, Binance has secured licenses in more than 20 jurisdictions, established a board of directors, and intensified its compliance efforts worldwide.

A Regulated Footprint in the UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Binance’s operations in the UAE are conducted through Binance FZE, a locally licensed entity approved by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai. The license allows the company to offer a wide array of services, including crypto trading, brokerage, custody, digital asset management, and crypto lending — all in accordance with UAE laws and regulations.

Binance’s presence in Abu Dhabi is also growing, with the company engaging with financial free zones like the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), further embedding itself in the region's financial infrastructure.

At events like TOKEN2049 Dubai, Binance executives have praised the UAE’s proactive, tech-forward approach to digital asset regulation. Authorities in the country have taken concrete steps to encourage innovation: real estate can be purchased with cryptocurrency, several banks now handle digital assets, and ambitious projects including the construction of a so-called "crypto tower" are in development.

Strategic Investment and Local Partnerships 

In March 2025, UAE-based investment company MGX — founded in 2024 and specializing in artificial intelligence and frontier technologies — invested $2 billion in Binance. The investment, made entirely in stablecoins, reflects growing confidence in the convergence of blockchain and AI. The move is also aligned with the UAE’s broader vision of building a diversified, future-ready digital economy.

Today, Binance employs around 1,000 people in the UAE, working closely with local regulators to ensure its offerings remain fully compliant and tailored to the needs of the region’s increasingly sophisticated crypto users.

User Migration to Binance Dubai (FZE)

In line with local regulatory requirements, Binance initiated a migration process for all UAE-based users previously registered on the global platform. These users were required to transition to the locally regulated Binance Dubai (FZE) platform and complete a renewed KYC (Know Your Customer) verification process.

Data continuity: User IDs, email addresses, and passwords remained unchanged; transaction histories were preserved

Asset conversion: Tokens not supported by the local platform were automatically converted to BTC or USDT, with advance notifications sent to users

This transition marked a significant step in Binance’s commitment to regulatory transparency and user protection in the UAE.

Opening a Binance Account in the UAE

For new users looking to register on Binance in the UAE, the process is simple and secure:

• Select “United Arab Emirates” as your country during registration
• Prepare documentation: Emirates ID or passport, and proof of address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement)
• Complete identity verification: Upload a selfie and complete a short video identification process
• The registration can be completed via the Binance website or mobile app.
• Financial Operations with AED Support
• Binance Dubai supports deposits and withdrawals in UAE dirhams (via several leading banks, including ADCB, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and others.

Available services include:

Bank transfers and card payments

Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading

Spot and futures trading

Staking and lending

Digital asset custody and portfolio management

These services are offered within a regulated framework, ensuring security and compliance for users and institutions alike.

A Key Player in the UAE’s Digital Economy

As the UAE accelerates its transformation into a global hub for digital finance, Binance is playing an increasingly prominent role. Despite occasional challenges — such as temporary limitations on certain features or banking restrictions — the company continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.

Binance’s integration into the UAE’s economic infrastructure reflects the country's forward-thinking approach to financial innovation, as well as its ambition to lead in the realms of blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence.

By aligning its operations with national priorities and maintaining close cooperation with regulators, Binance has positioned itself not only as a major exchange, but as a long-term strategic partner in the UAE’s digital future.