Coinbase Wins Abu Dhabi Approval as White House Targets September CLARITY Act Vote

• Coinbase secured Abu Dhabi approval to provide investment-dealing and custody services, paving the way for its expansion into tokenized stocks
• The CLARITY Act faces a key September 15 Senate test after lawmakers postponed the vote during the August recess, with 60 votes needed to advance the bill
• Coinbase’s expansion in Abu Dhabi comes as US crypto regulation remains uncertain, with disagreements over anti-money-laundering, ethics and stablecoin provisions clouding the bill’s path

Coinbase is pushing deeper into tokenized finance just as the US crypto industry faces another test. Coinbase’s new Abu Dhabi approval gives the exchange a regulated route into tokenized securities, while lawmakers have pushed the CLARITY Act vote into September. This comes as crypto companies expand in jurisdictions offering clearer rules. Meanwhile, the US is still struggling to agree on the framework it wants for digital assets at home.

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Coinbase Builds Its Tokenized Securities Business in Abu Dhabi

Coinbase has secured permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market to provide investment-dealing intermediation and custody services, according to the details provided by the company. The approval is aimed at supporting its push into tokenized securities and eventually tokenized stocks.

The move fits Coinbase’s shift beyond crypto trading. The exchange has already expanded into traditional stocks and ETFs in the US and announced plans for 1:1-backed tokenized stocks for non-US customers.

Abu Dhabi is becoming an increasingly important venue for this market. ADGM’s framework explicitly covers digital securities and tokenized securities. Meanwhile, its FSRA requires regulated firms conducting these activities to obtain the appropriate permission.

The timing also puts Coinbase in a group of firms building regulated tokenized-asset markets in the region. ADGM said it issued 284 new licenses in March 2026 and has continued attracting major global financial institutions.

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CLARITY Act Faces a Tougher September Test

Back in the US, the picture is considerably less settled. The Senate left for its August recess without voting on the CLARITY Act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled a procedural vote for September 15. But the legislation needs 60 votes to move forward.

This makes the September test crucial. Reports revealed that opposition remains over ethics rules, anti-money-laundering safeguards, and provisions affecting stablecoin rewards and community bank deposits. Analysts have also warned that the approaching November elections leave lawmakers with little time to resolve the disputes.

Coinbase is securing regulated infrastructure abroad while the US remains stuck negotiating its own crypto regulation framework. If the Clarity Act can clear its September hurdle could determine how much of the regulatory gap closes before the end of the year.

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