Register DAO in ADGM
Register a DAO in ADGM (ADGM DLT Foundation) — Legal Wrapper for Web3 Governance
ADGM is one of the few jurisdictions with a purpose-built framework designed for Blockchain Foundations, DAOs and Web3 entities. If your DAO is currently “on-chain only”, registering an ADGM DLT Foundation gives you legal personality for treasury, contracts, IP and contributor protection—without forcing you to abandon token voting or smart-contract governance.
Consultrio designs the structure, prepares the registration pack (charter + governance + supporting documents), coordinates third-party reports (as needed), and manages the end-to-end filing through Consultrio.
ADGM DAO registrations are typically structured through an ADGM DLT Foundation, governed under the DLT Foundations Regulations 2023 (ADGM).
Protocol Governance Foundation
Best for protocols that need a legal wrapper for governance, IP stewardship, contributor agreements, and service-provider contracting.
Treasury & Grants DAO
Best for DAOs managing a treasury and issuing grants—especially where you need controls, reporting, and legally enforceable grant documentation.
Ecosystem / Developer Foundation
Best for ecosystems funding builders, partnerships, audits, and community programs with a clear foundation object + governance cadence.
Token Issuance + Community Governance
DLT Foundations can issue utility tokens (and must structure governance and disclosures accordingly).
IP & Open-Source Stewardship Wrapper
Best for protocols that need IP licensing, trademark holding, open-source governance, and contributor protection.
Foundation + Operating Subsidiaries (Regulated / Commercial)
Best for builders that need a foundation at the top, with subsidiaries for operating companies, exchanges, custody, payments, or other regulated/commercial functions (licensed separately).
Have Questions?
Book a complimentary call with our DAO setup expert
If you’re unsure whether you should register a DAO as an ADGM DLT Foundation (or whether a different structure fits better), we’ll map the fastest compliant route based on: token model, governance, treasury, residency constraints, and banking plan.
Process and Timelines
Step-by-step process and timelines to register a DAO in ADGM
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Step 1 — Structure & “approval-ready” DAO blueprint (3–5 days)
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Confirm whether ADGM DLT Foundation is the right wrapper for your DAO object
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Define governance bodies (Council, Guardian, Tokenholder voting rights where applicable)
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Map what stays in the Foundation vs what moves into subsidiaries (if regulated/commercial)
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Step 2 — Draft the filing pack (7–14 days)
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We draft the Charter and governance pack in line with the DLT Foundations Regulations 2023 (ADGM) (and supporting guidance where applicable).
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Governance design: voting, proposals, quorums, veto/guardrails (where needed)
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If issuing tokens: tokenholder rights positioning + governance disclosures
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Prepare supporting documents per ADGM checklist (IDs, UBO, council, signatories, etc.)
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Step 3 — Submission to ADGM (2-4 weeks)
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ADGM requires registration via Consultrio
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We coordinate the submission, clarifications, and final issuance pathway
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Typical completion is around one month, depending on submission quality and response speed
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Step 4 — Post-registration: banking, ops, and change management (2–6 weeks)
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Banking/EMI onboarding planning (UAE + international)
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If operating subsidiaries are needed: incorporate + licensing plan
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Change management: ADGM expects changes to DLT framework/smart contracts to be notified (with supporting documentation, including security audit reports in relevant cases).
ADGM DAO Registration Costs & Fees
Your cost depends on whether you’re doing: (i) pure governance wrapper, (ii) token issuance, (iii) regulated subsidiaries + banking.
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Name reservation: USD 200
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Application for registration: USD 300
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Ongoing annual filings: e.g., Confirmation Statement (annual) USD 100
2. Professional management fees (Consultrio)
USD 4,500
3. Legal opinion + governance documentation
USD 5,500
4) Bank Account Opening fees
AED 4,500
Why Consultrio is the right partner for ADGM DAO registration
1) DAO-first structuring (not “company formation”)
We structure DAOs like products: governance, treasury, contributors, token mechanics, disclosures—then map it into a charter that actually works in real life.
2) Approval-ready drafting
We build your pack to reduce back-and-forth: charter, governance design, signatories/council setup, and a clean foundation/subsidiary split.
3) Banking & operational readiness
DAOs fail at banking, payments, vendors, and payroll—not at incorporation. We plan your bank onboarding path from day one.
4) Long-term support (changes, notifications, growth)
As your DAO evolves, filings and notifications matter (governance updates, tokenomics changes, smart-contract upgrades). We support ongoing compliance and change management.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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Advantages
Advantages of registering a DAO in ADGM
1) A purpose-built DAO legal wrapper (DLT Foundation)
ADGM launched a DLT Foundations Framework specifically for DAOs and blockchain foundations, including governance concepts like tokenholder voting and smart-contract-enabled processes.
2) Token governance can be “legally mirrored” in the charter
The ADGM rulebook expects governance bodies (e.g., Foundation Council) and—if tokens are issued—Tokenholders exercising rights by voting to be reflected in the Charter.
3) Independent legal personality (credible for banks, vendors, listings)
ADGM describes DLT Foundations as ownerless legal structures that can sue and be sued, giving DAOs a real-world entity counterpart for contracts, payroll, grants, vendors, and service providers.
4) Clear boundaries: foundation for governance/treasury + subsidiaries for ops
A DLT Foundation cannot itself conduct activities requiring Financial Services Permission, but it can establish subsidiaries that do (where properly licensed). This is a clean way to separate DAO governance/treasury from regulated operations.