A License With Leverage
Freedom Holding Corp. (FRHC) has received a brokerage license in Abu Dhabi. This move not only opens a new market for the fintech holding but also provides a reputational boost and establishes a platform for broader global expansion.
Abu Dhabi as a New Gateway
Freedom Broker Global Markets, an Abu Dhabi–based brokerage subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed Freedom Holding Corp. (FRHC), has received a brokerage license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market. The approval was granted on December 29, 2025.
Under the authorization, the company, which was established in February 2025, is permitted to provide a broad range of financial services, including dealing in investments as matched principal, providing custody, managing assets, arranging deals in investments, and advising on investments and credit. In practical terms, this enables the delivery of comprehensive brokerage and investment services to international high-net-worth clients.
“We are closing the year on a positive note for the business. We were able to demonstrate to one of the world’s most demanding financial jurisdictions that our approach to business, risk management, and compliance meets their standards,” said Timur Turlov, founder and chief executive of Freedom Holding Corp.
A Bridge to Growth
The UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, is one of the world’s key financial hubs. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the region serves as a bridge to high-growth markets across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Northern and Eastern Africa.
It provides political and economic stability and acts as a capital-rich base for international growth. Combined with transparency and world-class infrastructure, the region offers a strategically important business destination. The UAE’s strong focus on digitalization aligns closely with Freedom’s strategic goal of building a global digital ecosystem that integrates brokerage, banking, insurance, lifestyle, telecom, media, and other segments.
“This market and the region as a whole have always been incredibly attractive to us, and now we will be able to conduct full-scale brokerage operations here,” noted Timur Turlov.
More Than One More Market
More broadly, securing the license in Abu Dhabi supports Freedom Holding, an international fintech group operating in more than 20 countries, in its international expansion, adding a new hub for its global operations. This complements Freedom’s existing licenses in the U.S., Europe, and Central Asia, adding reach in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Additionally, gaining the authorization sends a positive reputational signal. “Obtaining an ADGM license is a great honor for us and a strong vote of confidence from one of the world’s most respected financial jurisdictions,” says Vladimir Pochekuev, Partner at Freedom Holding Corp. and Chairman of the Board of Freedom Management, the ADGM-registered holding company managing FRHC’s assets in the UAE. As ADGM’s FSRA is considered a top-tier regulator, operating under English common law, with strict compliance and transparency requirements, the approval is a clear endorsement of the holding’s governance and compliance standards, it gives Freedom longer-term credibility in global markets — both for partners and clients.
Momentum for 2026
Alongside other multiple achievements in 2025, the entry into Abu Dhabi creates momentum for further development and value creation in 2026.
Earlier in 2025, after reaching $1B+ in revenue and 4M SuperApp users, Freedom Holding Corp. was included in the respected Russell 3000 Index and attracted interest from the largest institutional investors, including BlackRock, First Trust Financials, Morgan Stanley, and others. The group opened its second office in Limassol and a new office in Vilnius and began the process of obtaining licenses in Turkey. Freedom Bank received approval to open a subsidiary bank in Georgia.
The case of Freedom was selected for study by the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The company is involved in innovative AI projects with NVIDIA and OpenAI in Kazakhstan, as well as multiple philanthropic initiatives. With the Abu Dhabi milestone, more opportunities await in 2026.
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