Can I buy an ADGM financial services licence?
No — you acquire the licensed entity, with FSRA approval
An ADGM Financial Services Permission is granted to a specific authorised entity; in practice “buying a licence” means acquiring that entity via a share transfer, which is a Change in Control subject to prior FSRA approval.
More on Licensing
Does acquiring control of an ADGM-regulated firm need FSRA approval?Yes — prior FSRA approval is requiredWho is a controller of an ADGM authorised firm?Anyone with significant influence via shares or voting rightsDoes acquiring control of a DIFC/DFSA firm need DFSA approval?Yes — under the DFSA controllers regimeCan a UAE trade licence be transferred on its own?No — it is tied to the entity; ownership changes via amendment