Abu Dhabi Global Market ADGM marked ten years since the start of its operations, while continuing to achieve strong growth and new strategic milestones, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a capital of capital.

Building on the growing momentum of recent years, ADGM has succeeded in attracting more international capital, global talent, and leading institutions to the capital, Abu Dhabi.

By the end of 2025, the number of active licenses exceeded 12,000, while the workforce grew by 51 percent to reach 44,339 people, and assets under management increased by 36 percent, reflecting continued confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted global hub for asset and wealth managers.

City of Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market ADGM, said that 2025 marked a pivotal milestone in ADGM’s journey, driven by record and notable growth in assets under management. This reflects the increasing confidence of our global partners and the strength of our investment strategies. We have also succeeded in attracting a distinguished group of leading international institutions to ADGM, further strengthening our position as a global platform for attracting talent, capital, and fostering innovation.

He added that this progress reflects the strength of the integrated business ecosystem we lead, built on impactful partnerships, sustainable value creation, and a firm commitment to excellence. As we continue aligning our goals with the strategic vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we remain focused on achieving sustainable growth, enhancing our global competitiveness, and advancing ADGM to rank among the top five international financial centers worldwide.

The rapid growth of Abu Dhabi’s financial sector is reflected in the notable increase in new licenses issued by ADGM, as major global companies have chosen it as their regional headquarters. The total number of active licenses rose by 30 percent to reach 12,671 by the end of 2025.

At the same time, the expansion of activity across Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island has attracted diverse and highly skilled talent, contributing to a 51 percent increase in the total workforce to 44,339 individuals, compared to 29,338 in 2024.

During the year, a number of leading companies in financial technology, digital assets, banking services, infrastructure investments, sustainability consulting, global legal services, and technology driven financial platforms announced the establishment of their operations at ADGM. These include Circle, Carta, Bitcoin Suisse, Tradition, Bitgrit, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, Hidden Roads, Skadden, Digital Climate Middle East DCME, Olive Gaea, TON, Animoca Brands, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland Gulf, Galaxy Digital, Halo Investing, Eurasian Development Bank, iCapital, ERM, and DLA Piper.

In a global regulatory first, Binance became the first digital asset trading platform to receive an official global license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of ADGM in December 2025. This allows it to operate from Abu Dhabi within a comprehensive, world class regulatory framework, further reinforcing ADGM’s leadership in the advanced and compliant global digital assets ecosystem.

By the end of last year, the number of asset and fund managers at Abu Dhabi Global Market reached 171, collectively managing 244 funds. The number of financial firms based in ADGM stood at 347, including 80 companies that were licensed during the past year.

Among the most prominent financial firms that opened offices during that period were Kimmeridge, Fortress, Polen Capital, Adams Street, Arcapita, Aquila Group, Cantor Fitzgerald, Davidson Kempner, DWS, Galaxy, GMB Limited, HarbourVest, Harrison Street, Investindustrial, KKR, Monroe Capital, NewVest, Oryx Global Partners, PATRIZIA, Partners Group, Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners Ltd., Seviora, UBS Group, and Julius Baer.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority also issued 120 initial approvals, an increase of around 32 percent compared to the previous year, and granted 94 new companies licenses to provide financial services.

Over the course of the year, 3,495 new companies joined ADGM, marking growth of nearly 40 percent compared to the previous year, underscoring the diversity of companies choosing the financial center as their regional base.

Abu Dhabi’s global standing was further strengthened in December, when it was ranked the top financial center in the Middle East and North Africa region and 12th globally in the Global Financial Centres Index published by the Stern School of Business at New York University. This achievement reflects the strength of its institutional framework, its advanced regulatory environment, and its readiness for the future.

In November 2025, Abu Dhabi also hosted the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, bringing together leading funds representing long term institutional capital. This further affirmed Abu Dhabi’s role as a trusted hub for global capital flows and a platform for dialogue and strategic partnerships.

In 2025, Abu Dhabi Global Market intensified its international engagements to strengthen its role as a bridge connecting global financial markets with Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and a high level delegation from Abu Dhabi, ADGM conducted promotional roadshows to China and Japan in the first half of 2025, and to London, New York, Singapore, and India in the second half of the year, during which memorandums of understanding were signed and events were organized to promote business and investment opportunities in high potential sectors.

In September, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of ADGM, together with the Securities and Futures Commission, hosted a high level roundtable in Hong Kong to discuss opportunities for asset managers in Hong Kong within ADGM.

Throughout 2025, ADGM continued to develop its regulatory framework to enhance market integrity, increase transparency, and improve consumer protection.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority implemented key legislative updates aligned with international standards, including the principles of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Organization of Securities Commissions. It also launched a new fund reporting system aimed at enhancing transparency, data quality, and regulatory oversight in the asset management sector.

In line with broader regulatory priorities in the United Arab Emirates and in coordination with the Central Bank, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority issued a consultation paper on transition planning principles, setting out high level expectations for financial institutions to strengthen resilience and long term preparedness. It also moved to a recognized notification regime for virtual assets and published updated guidance to enhance regulatory clarity while maintaining strict oversight of digital asset activities within ADGM.

As part of strengthening international cooperation, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority signed six memorandums of understanding with international regulatory bodies during 2025, including strategic engagements with key global and regional authorities, reinforcing supervisory cooperation and engagement with international markets.

For its part, the ADGM Registration Authority issued several new rules during the year, including regulations related to commercial licensing, consumer protection, data protection, and amendments to the framework governing family wealth management offices.

The Registration Authority also issued updated fee rules and new employment regulations, and strengthened oversight of service providers such as law firms, corporate service providers, and tax advisors.

In 2025, Abu Dhabi Global Market ADGM began full operations across its expanded geographic jurisdiction following the successful integration of Al Reem Island into its scope.

After completing the transition phase by the end of 2024, the Registration Authority focused on delivering integrated real estate services, including property transactions, licensing, work permits, temporary permits, commercial permits, and the renewal of licenses issued under incentive programs.

This marked a pivotal step in strengthening ADGM’s regulatory, legal, and service framework.

The Registration Authority also launched more than 70 real estate services in 2025, covering buying and selling, leasing, contract renewals, project registration, and more.

These developments were supported by regulatory updates and the launch of a unified digital platform, enabling fully remote real estate transactions that are faster and more transparent.

In a major announcement in December 2025, Mubadala and Aldar revealed a joint project worth over 60 billion dirhams to expand Al Maryah Island, paving the way for the next phase of growth for one of the world’s largest financial districts.

The project includes 1.5 million square meters of new office, residential, retail, and hotel space, further enhancing Al Maryah Island’s unique blend of international business and luxury lifestyle.

Together, these initiatives underscore ADGM’s commitment to providing a secure, technology enabled real estate framework that strengthens investor confidence, market efficiency, and sustainable growth within Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone.

In 2025, ADGM also continued to prioritize human capital development through the ADGM Academy.

Throughout the year, the academy supported 9,500 individuals through professional and academic training programs, helped create 6,000 job opportunities, and enabled 3,000 graduates to complete personal skills and employability programs aligned with private sector needs.

Collaboration with leading global and regional institutions remained a core pillar of the academy’s work, with 20 memorandums of understanding signed with partners including PGIM, Columbia Business School, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the ADI Foundation, and federal government entities such as the Federal Tax Authority.

ADGM once again demonstrated its ability to convene the world’s leading financial forces during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, its most successful edition to date, featuring 68 events and 394 specialized sessions.

With more than 800 influential speakers and around 70 global and regional partners, the event attracted participants collectively managing over 60 trillion US dollars in assets, equivalent to more than 50 percent of global GDP. It also welcomed more than 35,000 participants, 30 percent of whom were international, representing 175 nationalities.

Through Abu Dhabi Finance Week, which continues to draw growing international attention with each edition, ADGM showcased Abu Dhabi’s plans for the next decade of growth and reinforced its position as a capital of capital.