Alpaca announced on 25 October that Alpaca Clearing & Custody ME Ltd had received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market. The proposed regional business would offer brokerage infrastructure and virtual-asset custody, subject to a final Financial Services Permission and the activities it permits.[1]
Authorisation milestones
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Alpaca Clearing & Custody ME LtdSource 1 |
| Decision announced | 25 October 2026Source 1 |
| Status | In-principle approval; regulated activities cannot begin on this basisSource 1 |
| Next requirement | Satisfy FSRA conditions and obtain a Financial Services PermissionSource 1 |
What this changes for potential partners
The announcement gives banks, brokers and fintech firms a named regional applicant around which to plan discussions. It does not yet supply the legal basis for onboarding customers to an ADGM regulated service. An integration timetable should therefore distinguish technical preparation from the date on which the authorised entity can actually accept business.[1]
That distinction also determines which documents a prospective partner needs. Commercial presentations describe the intended service; the eventual permission establishes permitted activities; the client and custody agreements allocate responsibility for money, assets and operational failures. These documents answer different questions. A group’s existing overseas business cannot establish the scope of its proposed UAE subsidiary.[1]
For implementation planning, the decisive next evidence will be the final permission, the contracting entity named in the service agreement and the custody arrangements for supported assets. Until those are available, any launch date or coverage commitment would be premature.[1]
Sources & further reading
- Alpaca Secures In-Principle Approval from ADGM FSRA to Expand Brokerage Infrastructure in the UAE Alpaca · 25 Oct 2026 · Accessed 27 Oct 2026