Alpaca secures ADGM in-principle approval for crypto brokerage and custody services
Alpaca’s Middle East entity, Alpaca Clearing & Custody ME Ltd, has received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial center, for its application for a Financial Services Permission to offer virtual asset, crypto brokerage and custody services.
In their LinkedIn post, they note that the approval marks a step towards establishing Alpaca Middle East’s regulated presence in the UAE and expanding its support for financial institutions and fintech across the region. Subject to obtaining a Financial Services Permission, the entity plans to offer crypto brokerage services and custody within the scope ultimately approved by the FSRA.
“The UAE has emerged as an important hub connecting regional and global capital markets, with a strong ecosystem for financial services and technology,” said Hatem ElAraby, CEO of Alpaca Middle East. “Establishing a regulated presence in Abu Dhabi will allow us to work more closely with institutions in the region and connect them with Alpaca’s global brokerage infrastructure. This is an important step in building our long-term presence in the Middle East.”
According to Alpaca, the company already has relationships with financial institutions and fintech platforms across the Middle East spanning digital investing, savings and brokerage services. It said these relationships, alongside its regional team and global brokerage infrastructure, underpin its continued investment and long-term growth plans in the region.
The UAE expansion forms part of Alpaca’s strategy to build regulated brokerage infrastructure across global financial markets. The company said it has established a regulatory footprint across the US, UK, Europe, Japan, India and The Bahamas, supporting a network of partners in more than 50 countries.
In July of 2026, Alpaca, partnered with Broadridge Financial Solutions to bring institutional-grade shareholder governance capabilities to holders of tokenized equities.
