The ADI Foundation, established by Sirius International Holding, has reported new progress towards its goal of integrating one billion people into the digital economy by 2030. With its testnet gaining traction, a mainnet launch on the horizon, and a dirham-backed stablecoin under development, the Abu Dhabi-based organisation is building a digital infrastructure designed to cement the UAE’s leadership in technological innovation.
The Foundation’s work focuses on widening access to the digital economy, particularly across emerging markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Its initiatives aim to support individuals, businesses, and governments in driving inclusive social and economic growth.
Marking a milestone year, 2025 has seen the ADI Foundation take its vision to a global stage. Earlier this month, its team presented at TOKEN2049, one of the world’s premier blockchain and Web3 conferences. The event attracted more than 25,000 participants and hundreds of leading names from the crypto, fintech, and digital asset industries, representing over 160 countries. This platform provided the ADI Foundation with an opportunity to share updates on its progress while connecting with investors, developers, and regulators shaping the Web3 landscape.
Andrey Lazorenko, Chief Executive Officer of the ADI Foundation, said: “Our mission is to build an infrastructure that enables people everywhere to participate in the digital economy. What starts in Abu Dhabi is shaping the digital future of entire regions. Our goal is not just to innovate, but to empower, connecting people, businesses, and governments across continents.”
One of the Foundation’s key developments is the forthcoming UAE stablecoin, announced earlier this year. Expected to launch in the coming months, the stablecoin will be backed by the dirham, regulated by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and operated on the ADI Foundation blockchain. It is designed to modernise payment systems and streamline global commerce.
In addition to its financial technology initiatives, the Foundation plans to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a fintech hub through a new education platform. This programme will equip individuals with blockchain fundamentals and provide a practical environment for testing and developing Web3 solutions, helping build a blockchain-ready workforce.
Looking ahead, the ADI Foundation will host an exclusive event during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) in December. The celebration will bring together government officials, business executives, and leaders from both traditional and decentralised finance. With ADFW recognised as the largest finance and investment summit in the MENA region, featuring more than 300 global speakers representing institutions managing over USD 60 trillion in assets, the Foundation aims to position itself at the crossroads of global capital, technology, and policy.
The organisation’s international outreach will continue throughout the year. The ADI Foundation will engage with financial and tech leaders at upcoming global events such as the Singapore FinTech Festival and the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. At these gatherings, the Foundation intends to showcase its blockchain infrastructure, unveil the stablecoin, and deepen collaborations with regulators, institutions, and potential partners, further highlighting Abu Dhabi’s growing role in shaping the digital economy across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
