/PRNewswire/ — ADGM, the International Financial Center (IFC) in Abu Dhabi, experienced a year of solid growth and strategic milestones, strengthening its role in the status of “Capital of capital” of Abu Dhabi.
ADGM has continued to attract international capital, world-class talent and leading institutions to the UAE capital. At the end of 2025, the number of active licenses in the ADGM exceeded 12,000while the number of people working in the financial center increased by 51% to reach 44,339 people. At the same time, the funds under management mandate increased by 36%highlighting the enduring trust placed in Abu Dhabi as a trusted hub for global asset and wealth managers.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, President of ADGM,said: “The year 2025 opened a decisive chapter in the history of the ADGM. We experienced another year of significant growth in our funds under management, reflecting both the confidence of our partners and the strength of our investment strategies. Equally important is our success in attracting leading global players to ADGM, thereby strengthening our position as a gateway to world-class talent, capital and innovation.international. This progress demonstrates the power of a prosperous ecosystem, based on partnerships, on long-term value creation term and a strong commitment to excellence. As we continue to closely align with the strategic vision ofAbu Dhabiwe continue to focus our efforts on sustainable growth and improving our competitive advantage, with the aim of becoming one of the top five international financial centers in the world.”
The strong growth of Abu Dhabi’s financial sector is reflected in the influx of new licenses within the ADGM, with the largest international companies choosing the financial center as their regional hub.
The total name of active licenses in ADGM increased by 30% to 12,671 by the end of 2025, further strengthening its position as the largest IFC in the Middle East and Africa region by this measure.
At the same time, growing commercial activity in the IFC has continued to attract a diverse and highly skilled talent pool to the islands of Al Reem and Al Maryah. Thus, the ADGM’s total workforce increased by 51% to 44,339 people in 2025 compared to 29,338 in 2024.
In 2025, leading players in fintech, digital assets, banking, infrastructure investment, sustainability consulting, global legal services and technology-driven financial platforms including Circle, Carta, Bitcoin Suisse, Tradition, Bitgrit, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, Hidden Roads, Skadden, and Digital Climate Middle East (DCME), Olive Gaea, TON, Animoca Brands, BBVA, Arab Bank (Switzerland) Gulf, Galaxy Digital, Halo Investing, Eurasian Development Bank, iCapital, ERM et DLA Piper, ont annoncé their establishment in the ADGM.
In December 2025, Binance became the first digital asset service provider to obtain an official global use license from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). This license allows Binance to operate from Abu Dhabi under a comprehensive, world-class regulatory framework, strengthening ADGM’s position at the forefront of compliant and progressive digital asset ecosystems worldwide.
At the end of 2025, the ADGM housed 171 asset and fund managers, who collectively manage 244 funds. A total of 347 financial institutions now operate in the ADGM, 80 of them having obtained a license en2025.
Among the main financial entities are Kimmeridge, Fortress, Polen Capital, Adams Street, Arcapita, Aquila Group, Cantor Fitzgerald, Davidson Kempner, DWS, Galaxy (asset management subsidiary in addition to digital assets), 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.
At the same time, the FSRA has issued a total of 120 approvals in principlean increase of almost 32% compared to the previous yearwhile 94new financial services authorizations were obtained.
Throughout the year, the broader ADGM ecosystem welcomed 3495 operational entities, an increase of almost 40% compared to the previous yearwhich highlights the diversity of companies that choose the financial center as their regional base.
In December, Abu Dhabi’s inclusion in the Financial Center Competitiveness Index (FCCI) published by the NYU Stern School of Business confirmed its growing international stature as a leading financial center. The index ranked the capital of the United Arab Emirates as the #1 financial center in the MENA region and 12th globallyreflecting Abu Dhabi’s strong institutional foundations, progressive regulatory environment and forward-looking ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi also hosted the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) in November 2025. The event brought together leading sovereign wealth funds representing significant long-term institutional capital. This gathering reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s position as a trusted coordinator of global capital flows and a platform for dialogue and strategic partnerships.
During the first half of 2025, ADGM strengthened its international commitments by joining the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and a broader delegation from Abu Dhabi in a series of roadshows in China and Japanas well as in London, New York, Singapore and India during the second half of the year. During these trips, ADGM and other major UAE entities signed several memoranda of understanding and organized a series of events to promote business and investment opportunities in the Emirate’s high-growth sectors.
In September, the ADGM FSRA and the Securities and Futures Commission (CTI) jointly hosted a high-level roundtable in Hong Kong to discuss opportunities for Hong Kong asset managers within the ADGM.
The only IFC in the region to directly apply English Common Law, ADGM has strengthened its regulatory ecosystem over the course of 2025, in order to consolidate market integrity, increase transparency and improve consumer protection.
The FSRA has made key legislative updates consistent with international standards, including the principles of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). It also introduced a new fund reporting regime aimed at improving transparency, data quality and regulatory oversight in the asset management sector.
In line with the UAE’s regulatory priorities and in coordination with the Central Bank, the FSRA has published a consultation paper on Transition Planning Principles, setting out high-level expectations for financial institutions, to strengthen long-term resilience and preparedness.
In 2025, ADGM began to fully exploit its expanded real estate jurisdiction, following the successful integration of Al Reem Island into ADGM. L’AR focused on end-to-end real estate transactionsincluding the launch of more than 70 real estate services through purchase and sale, leasing, renewals, project registrations, real estate transactions, licenses, work permits, business permits and license renewals issued under incentive programs.
In December 2025, Mubadala and Aldar unveil more than AED60 billion joint venture to expand Al Maryah Islandpaving the way for the next phase of growth for one of the world’s largest financial districts. The project will include 1.5 million square meters of new offices, housing, retail and reception spaceswhich will allow Al Maryah Island to stand out by combining international business and luxury living.
The ADGM’s ability to bring together the world’s financial powers was once again fully demonstrated during theAbu Dhabi Finance Week2025its most successful edition to date with 68events et 394 thematic sessions organized. With more than 800 influential speakers and nearly 70 international and regional partnersthe event brought together participants who collectively manage more than 60 trillion dollars in assets, the equivalent of more than 50% of global GDP. It also welcomed more than 35,000 participants, including 30% international participants, representing175nationalités.
Thanks to ADFW, which attracts more and more international attention with each edition, ADGM was able to present Abu Dhabi’s plans for its next decade of growth and strengthen its position as Capital of capital.
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