ADGM Digital Investment Management (Robo Advisory) License

Why setup a financial services firm in the ADGM?

Specific Advantages

Here are some specific advantages of establishing in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

• Legal framework supports cross-border activities
• 100% foreign ownership permitted
• No restriction on foreign talent or employees
• No restrictions on capital repatriation

TAX BENEFITS

• Zero tax for 50 years on profits, capital or assets from 2004
• Zero tax on employee income

COUNTERPARTY CONFIDENCE

• Well regarded, independent regulator
• Independent, English-speaking, common law judicial system
• Distinct from the UAE legal system
• Risk-based regulatory approach

DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM

• Central to regional deal making
• High concentration of international firms, investment funds, wealth management firms, banks, and financial institutions
• World-class regional and international law and auditing firms, and other professional services
• A growing fund domicile in the region

GEOGRAPHIC EPICENTRE

• Management offices, holding companies and family offices are located closer to the assets they own or manage
• The Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) is increasingly the centre of gravity for the global economy
• The UAE plays a central role in the growing South-South trade, principally between Asia and Africa
• Well-positioned to harness the potential of emerging markets.

ADGM Digital Investment Management (Robo Advisory) License

Why Use a Robo-Advisor?

There are many reasons why investors may choose to use robo-advisors as opposed to a traditional portfolio manager or financial advisor including:

Low fees and no conflict of interest: Many Digital Investment Managers charge significantly lower fees compared to traditional financial advisors. Conflicts of interest are minimized, since there is no bias or pressure to push a certain set of products or solutions.

Low minimum requirements: Most financial advisory firms have higher requirements of initial commitments – usually a minimum in excess of US$ 100,000. Robo advisors have much lower entry requirements (some as low as US$ 1,000) and work on volumes.

Availability: Digital Investment Managers are automated and hence available 24/7.

Prominent robo-advisory firms include https://www.betterment.com, https://www.personalcapital.com, and https://intelligent.schwab.com.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority, or FSRA, reviews applications from firms who wish to carry out financial services from the ADGM. Their guidance for Digital Investment Managers includes those operating on fully-digital models, and hybrid models. Firms that sell white-labeled technology solutions to wealth managers are not covered since they do not require financial services permissions.

ADGM Applicable Activities

The following regulated activities will be applicable:

1. Advising on Investments or Credit – firms issuing recommendations on portfolios of financial instruments
2. Arranging Deals in Investments – firms issuing recommendations and passing instructions to brokers (with client consent)
3. Managing Assets – firms engaging in discretionary management of client portfolios, including discretionary portfolio rebalancing

ADGM Capital requirements:

The category of license determines the amount of base capital required. Firms that engage in activities of  Advising on Investments or Credit or Arranging Deals in Investments will fall under the Category 4 license requirements, with a Base Capital of US$ 10,000.

Firms that engage in activity of Managing Assets will fall under the Category 3C license requirements, with a Base Capital of US$ 250,000.

The FSRA will consider reduction of the base capital for a Category 3C Digital Investment Manager whose business model meets the following conditions:

Product offering limited to passive investment products such as ETFs or Index trackers

Discretionary asset management activities are limited to portfolio rebalancing (not involving the purchase of new investment products that were not included in the portfolio agreed to by the client)

Client assets are held with independent third-party financial institutions under a direct contract with the client.

In these cases, the base capital requirement will be US$ 10,000.

ADGM Authorisation Process

Applications for Robo Advisors in the ADGM will go through a rigorous process of authorisation. Applicants will have to demonstrate a credible, comprehensive and sustainable business plan, adequate control mechanisms and robust compliance processes.

The following are mandatory appointments:

1. Licensed Directors – the FSRA will review the composition of the Board

2. Senior Executive Officer – Must be UAE resident

3. Compliance Officer – Must be UAE resident

4. Money Laundering Reporting Officer – Must be UAE resident

5. Finance Officer

6. Senior management positions – Business Heads, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Technology Officer

Key Controls for Digital Investment Managers

Due to the nature of this business, the FSRA will review in detail the algorithm and technology governance policies and processes, and also the assessments that are in place to determine client suitability. Digital Investment Managers will also have to demonstrate robust data security policies and systems to ensure compliance with all relevant data protection regulations.

In determining algorithmic governance, the FSRA will consider the qualifications and competence of the staff involved, the development, testing and deployment of the model and the ongoing monitoring and review of the same. An emphasis will be placed on client suitability requirements and adequate disclosure mechanisms. These controls will have to be enhanced in case the robo-advisor intends to cater to retail clients. 

Costs:

Setting up an AGDM Robo Advisory License involves the following interactions:

Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)

Application fee – from US$ 10,000

Annual fee – from US$ 10,000

Registration Authority (RA):

The RA helps to set up the legal structure of the ADGM Firm. In most cases, this would be a Private Company Limited by Shares. Shareholders can be individual, or corporate. The costs for setting up such a company are:

Application for reserving a name: US$ 200

Application for Incorporation of a Private Company Limited by Shares: US$ 1,500

Commercial License on Incorporation: US$ 4,000 (annual fee)

Business Activity fees: US$ 9,000 (annual fee)

Data Protection:

The data protection notification is part of the process of registering a new entity in the ADGM. The costs involved are as follows:

Registration - US$ 300

Annual renewal – US$ 100

Office spaces:

Every entity registered in the ADGM is required to lease a physical office. You can choose from business center options, or physical spaces within the ADGM.

Here is an indication of the prevailing rates:

Business Centre – from a one-desk office at US$ 19,000.

Fitted Offices – from US$ 55 per square foot.

Visas 

Establishment Card Application – US$ 273

E-channel – US$ 1,100 (one-time)

E-channel deposit – US$ 1,360

Visas (per visa) – from US$ 1,500

Our Services:

We provide turnkey services for ADGM Digital Investment Management License. From fintech consulting, to assistance in authorisations, to assistance in preparation of the legal documentation, 10 Leaves helps you navigate the FSRA Rulebook and submit an application that is comprehensive, complete and compliant.