Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Marking its 10th anniversary, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, delivered a year of remarkable growth and strategic achievements in 2025. The performance further solidifies Abu Dhabi’s reputation as the “Capital of Capital” and a leading global financial hub.
Building on strong momentum, ADGM continued to attract international investors, top-tier institutions, and highly skilled professionals to the UAE capital. By the end of 2025, the total number of active licences rose by 30 percent to reach 12,671, making ADGM the largest international financial centre in the Middle East and Africa by this measure.
The workforce within ADGM saw significant expansion, growing by 51 percent to 44,339 professionals, compared to 29,338 in 2024. This growth reflects increasing business activity across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, reinforcing the centre’s appeal as a destination for global talent.
Assets Under Management (AUM) increased by 36 percent, highlighting continued investor confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted hub for asset and wealth management.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, described 2025 as a defining year for the financial centre, citing strong AUM growth, successful attraction of global firms, and the development of a thriving financial ecosystem built on partnerships and long-term value creation.
Global Firms and Financial Institutions Expand Presence
During 2025, ADGM attracted a wide range of global companies across fintech, banking, digital assets, and legal services. Notable names establishing operations included Circle, Binance, Carta, Bitgrit, Skadden, DLA Piper, BBVA, Galaxy Digital, and Arab Bank (Switzerland).
In a major regulatory milestone, Binance became the first crypto exchange to receive a global licence from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), strengthening the centre’s position as a leader in digital asset regulation.
By year-end, ADGM hosted 171 asset and fund managers managing a total of 244 funds, along with 347 financial institutions, including 80 newly licensed firms.
Regulatory Strength and International Recognition
ADGM continued to enhance its regulatory framework, implementing global best practices aligned with international standards such as BCBS and IOSCO. The FSRA introduced new reporting regimes, improved transparency measures, and strengthened oversight of digital assets.
The financial centre also expanded global cooperation by signing six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international regulators and increasing engagement through roadshows in key markets including China, Japan, the UK, the US, Singapore, and India.
Abu Dhabi’s growing global financial influence was recognised in the Financial Centre Competitiveness Index (FCCI), where it ranked first in the MENA region and 12th globally.
Major Developments and Strategic Initiatives
A landmark announcement in December 2025 saw Mubadala and Aldar launch a joint venture worth over AED 60 billion to expand Al Maryah Island. The project will add 1.5 million square metres of office, residential, retail, and hospitality space, supporting the next phase of growth for ADGM.
ADGM also fully operationalised its expanded real estate jurisdiction, introducing over 70 digital services to streamline property transactions and enhance transparency.
Focus on Talent and Global Engagement
Through ADGM Academy, the centre supported 9,500 individuals with training programmes, created 6,000 job opportunities, and helped 3,000 graduates develop employability skills aligned with market needs.
ADGM further strengthened its global presence by hosting Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, which attracted over 35,000 attendees, including 800 speakers and participants managing more than $60 trillion in assets.
With a decade of success behind it, ADGM remains focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and strengthening its competitive edge. The financial centre aims to position itself among the top five international financial centres globally while continuing to drive Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification and global financial leadership.
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