Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced the addition of 11 major international financial institutions representing more than US$9 trillion in assets under management, marking a significant step as the financial centre enters its second decade of operations.

The increase represents a sharp rise from $635 billion in assets last year and $450 billion in 2023, positioning ADGM among the fastest-growing international financial centres globally this year. The latest commitments further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s standing as a key destination for global capital and asset management activity.

The announcements were made in the lead-up to, and during, the fourth and largest edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), reinforcing the emirate’s ambition to position itself as the “Capital of Capital”. The event has emerged as a global platform highlighting Abu Dhabi’s role as a financial hub supported by a strong regulatory framework and international institutional participation.

With assets under management represented at ADGM rising significantly, the centre continues to consolidate its position as the fastest-growing international financial centre in the region. The latest expansion signals a shift in scale rather than incremental growth, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s increasing relevance within the global financial system.

During ADFW, several leading international firms confirmed plans to establish operations at ADGM. These include Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland Gulf Ltd, Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners Ltd., Eurasian Development Bank, ERM and DLA Piper. The new entrants span asset management, banking, infrastructure investment, sustainability advisory and legal services.

The announcements build on a strong pipeline of fourth-quarter commitments from global institutions such as UBS Group, KKR, Julius Baer, HarbourVest, Madison Realty Capital, Partners Group, DWS and Monroe Capital. Together, the additions highlight the depth and continuity of ADGM’s recent growth.

Officials said the developments mark a strong start to the financial centre’s next phase, positioning ADGM among the world’s top five international financial centres. Beyond asset management, ADGM is expanding activity across digital assets, sustainable and green finance, and advanced family office and private wealth services, supported by a regulatory framework aligned with international standards.

Commenting on the continued momentum, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, “The commitments announced during ADFW underscore Abu Dhabi’s rising influence at the centre of global capital flows and the long-term confidence international institutions place in the clarity and scale of our vision. Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has established a resilient, trusted and progressive financial ecosystem, grounded in robust regulatory foundations.”

“The addition of global firms managing more than $9 trillion in assets is not a milestone in isolation, but a clear signal of trust in Abu Dhabi’s world-class IFC and its ability to support increasingly sophisticated financial activity.”

The fourth edition of ADFW also marked a milestone in digital asset regulation, with Binance becoming the first crypto exchange to secure a formal global licence from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM. The licence allows Binance to operate under a comprehensive regulatory framework from Abu Dhabi, a first for the global digital asset industry.

Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, said, “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.”

Additional firms in the fintech and digital asset space also announced expanded operations in Abu Dhabi. iCapital confirmed the opening of its first Middle East office in the emirate, while Hashed Global Management Ltd., Circle Internet MEA Ltd., Galaxy Digital and Animoca Asset Management said they are anchoring more of their activities from ADGM.

The ecosystem is also attracting advanced financial and risk-related activity. IHC-owned RIQ announced plans to partner with Swiss Re to develop risk, data and AI-driven reinsurance solutions from ADGM. The collaboration aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s role as a centre for next-generation reinsurance and financial innovation.

JPMorgan also confirmed an expansion of its payments and treasury services business from ADGM. The move will enable the bank to offer a wider range of solutions, including liquidity management and multi-currency payments, to regional clients, reflecting the growing use of Abu Dhabi as a base for transaction banking and treasury operations.

Alongside international institutions, local platforms are also contributing to the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure. A total of 82 memorandums of understanding were signed during ADFW between regional firms such as Finstreet and the ADI DLT Foundation, and global players including BlackRock and Franklin Templeton. Among the agreements, the Majarra–Halo partnership was highlighted for its focus on developing structured product capabilities within the centre.

All announcements were made during ADFW 2025, held under the theme “Engineering the Capital Network”, which brought together senior executives and global leaders from across the financial services sector.”

Collectively, the developments reflect Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a global financial hub and ADGM’s expanding influence in shaping the future of international capital markets.