ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 18, 2025 — ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, is entering its second decade with enhanced momentum as it announces the addition of 11 new major global financial institutions that manage more than USD 9 trillion in assets. This notable increase, from USD 635 billion last year and USD 450 billion in 2023, represents one of the most significant expansions by any international financial centre globally this year and strengthens ADGM’s position as the region’s fastest-growing and one of the world’s most dynamic jurisdictions for asset management.

The announcements, made before and during the fourth and largest edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), highlight the city’s growing influence as the “Capital of Capital” and position ADFW as a global platform emphasizing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global financial hub where capital flows are driven by leading institutions and a world-class regulatory ecosystem at ADGM.

With the total assets under management at ADGM increasing sharply, the centre is solidifying its position as the fastest-growing international financial centre in the region and one of the most dynamic globally. This momentum indicates not just incremental growth but a significant change in Abu Dhabi’s role within the global financial system.

During ADFW and in the period leading up to the event, Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland Gulf Ltd, Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners Ltd., UBS Group, KKR, Julius Baer, HarbourVest, Madison Realty Capital, Partners Group, DWS, and Monroe Capital, along with Eurasian Development Bank, ERM, and DLA Piper, announced establishing a presence in ADGM.

These commitments mark a strong start to ADGM’s next decade of growth, positioning the centre among the world’s top 5 international financial centres. Building on its strong foundations, ADGM will continue to set international benchmarks across key growth areas, not only limited to asset management but also extending to the entire spectrum of financial services, including digital assets, sustainable and green finance, and advanced family office and private wealth services, supported by a progressive and proportionate regulatory framework aligned with the highest global standards.

H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: “The commitments announced during ADFW underline Abu Dhabi’s increasing influence at the centre of global capital flows and the long-term confidence international institutions have in the clarity and scale of our vision. Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has established a resilient, trusted, and progressive financial ecosystem based on robust regulatory foundations. The addition of global firms managing more than USD 9 trillion in assets is not an isolated milestone but a clear sign of trust in Abu Dhabi’s world-class IFC and its ability to support increasingly complex financial activity. As ADGM enters its next decade, our focus is on deepening market capabilities, expanding the financial architecture, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a globally connected hub where capital is allocated purposefully, and long-term value is created.”

In a historic development in the global digital asset regulatory space, the fourth edition of ADFW marked the announcement that Binance became the first crypto exchange to obtain a formal global licence from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to operate under a comprehensive regulatory framework from Abu Dhabi. This global first is another major step in ADGM’s efforts to become the most progressive and compliant digital-asset ecosystem in the world.

Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, commented: “During ADFW, Binance became the first global crypto exchange to secure a comprehensive global licence under the ADGM framework, marking a world first for the digital asset industry. This milestone reflects our compliance-first philosophy and our continued focus on transparency, security, and user protection. Our partnership with ADGM and our presence at ADFW reinforce our strong belief in the long-term growth of the crypto ecosystem. We remain deeply committed to the region and will continue to work closely with regulators, including the FSRA, to support responsible innovation and foster sustainable industry growth.”

Additionally, other entities in the fintech and digital asset sectors, including iCapital, announced the opening of their first office in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, while firms such as Hashed Global Management Ltd., Circle Internet MEA Ltd., Galaxy Digital, and Animoca Asset Management are basing more of their activities in ADGM.

Another announcement from IHC-owned RIQ stated that it plans to partner with Swiss Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurance and insurance providers, to develop risk, data, and AI-powered reinsurance solutions from its base in ADGM.

JPMorgan expanded its payments and treasury services business from ADGM, which will enable the firm to offer a wide range of solutions, including liquidity management and multi-currency payment capabilities to clients in the region. For more information, please visit:

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