ADGM issues region's first dedicated guidance on crypto mining activities
ADGM's Registration Authority has published standalone guidance covering commercial licensing, governance and disclosure expectations for crypto mining operators. It sets the regulatory perimeter between commercial mining and FSRA-regulated financial services, and is the first phase of a wider framework the RA plans to develop. Compliance teams considering mining operations in the UAE should review the licensing pathway and disclosure requirements it sets out.
- The Guidance is issued under section 23 of the Commercial Licensing Regulations 2025 and treats crypto mining as a licensable commercial activity, not a regulated financial service.
- A dedicated commercial licence with business activity code 7230 is highlighted for crypto mining operators.
- Operators must disclose corporate structure and ultimate beneficial ownership, and must confidentially disclose on-chain reward-flow addresses.
- This publication is described as the first phase of the RA's approach; a second phase will develop a regulatory framework, to be consulted on with the market in due course.
- The Guidance follows an eight-week public consultation published earlier in the year that generated feedback used to tailor the final text.