The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Financial Services Permission (FSP) authorises regulated financial activity within one of the world's most credible international financial centres, supervised by the FSRA.
ADGM is a common-law jurisdiction on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Its regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), issues FSPs authorising regulated activities from managing investments and operating funds to providing credit and custody services — within a framework aligned with IOSCO, FATF and Basel standards.
Marensa Advisory guides applicants through the full FSP lifecycle: scoping the correct Category and Regulated Activities, drafting the Minimum Regulatory Capital plan, compliance framework and AML/CFT programme, and managing FSRA liaison through to authorisation.
Discuss Your ADGM ApplicationUnderstanding FSRA expectations before you apply significantly reduces RFI cycles and improves approval timelines.
Most applicants underestimate the depth of documentation required and the FSRA's focus on substance and qualified personnel. A poorly prepared application can add 6+ months to the process.
Marensa Advisory has supported clients through ADGM authorisation across fund management, payment services, and investment advisory — combining regulatory knowledge with compliance programme design.
Start the ConversationA well-prepared application typically takes 3–6 months from submission. Incomplete applications or multiple RFI cycles can extend this to 9–12 months. Preparation quality is the single largest variable.
The licensed entity must be ADGM-incorporated. A foreign parent can own the ADGM entity, but the ADGM company itself must have substance, a resident SEO, and genuine operations in ADGM.
Both are common-law IFCs. ADGM (Abu Dhabi) is regulated by the FSRA; DIFC (Dubai) is regulated by the DFSA. ADGM tends to attract family offices and asset managers; DIFC has a larger banking and professional services ecosystem.
Yes. The FSRA operates a dedicated Digital Asset framework for VASPs. Virtual asset licensing is a separate regime with its own capital, governance and AML requirements.