UAE’s ADGM Becomes MENA’s Largest Financial Hub: 11,000+ Licenses Issued by Mid-2025
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) just hit a landmark. By the end of June 2025, it had more than 11,000 active licences, making it the largest international financial centre in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
What’s behind the jump? This registration surge reflects serious momentum. ADGM’s ecosystem now spans 308 financial firms and 2,664 non-financial firms, and it’s drawing global powerhouses through its English common law framework and investor-friendly setup. Assets under management (AUM) climbed 42% year-on-year, while market capitalization of its listed entities surpassed AED 500 billion, underscoring the centre’s role in accelerating Abu Dhabi’s non-oil growth.
ADGM’s Growth Highlights in H1 2025
The numbers speak for themselves. ADGM closed the first half of 2025 with 2,972 licensed firms on its books. it’s the ecosystem that powers Abu Dhabi’s financial rise.
Of these, 308 were financial firms, from banks to asset managers, while 2,664 were non-financial businesses that support the wider economy. It shows ADGM isn’t a niche hub. It’s a marketplace where financial giants and service firms grow side by side.
The licensing pipeline tells an even sharper story. 1,869 new licences were issued in just six months, up 47% year-on-year. Behind every licence is an adgm company formation aspiration, a business betting on Abu Dhabi as its base for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The regulator, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, wasn’t idle either. It granted more In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) and Financial Services Permissions (FSPs), signalling that global banks, funds, and fintech players are clearing the gateway into ADGM.
And this isn’t just paper shuffling. More and more professionals now work across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands. That’s a full city of talent like lawyers, bankers, fund managers, fintech developers-fueling deal-making and financial innovation.
In short, ADGM is not just growing. It’s accelerating, and the numbers are the proof.
Asset Management Sector Performance
The asset management industry is thriving under ADGM’s watch. Assets under management surged 42% year-on-year, showing investors’ confidence in Abu Dhabi’s financial framework.
The number of licensed players grew too. 154 fund and asset managers are now on the books, with 209 funds registered under ADGM’s jurisdiction.
Big names are betting on the hub. Firms like Nuveen, Kimmeridge, Fortress, and BlackRock have planted their flag, often working in tandem with Mubadala and other local giants. That mix of global capital and regional muscle is reshaping ADGM into a serious asset management powerhouse.
Strategic Partnerships and Investments
Partnerships and investments have been crucial in fuelling the magnanimous growth. Fortress and Mubadala teamed up on credit and real estate plays. Kimmeridge and Mubadala Energy are pushing forward on energy ventures.
Mubadala and Alpha Dhabi are doubling down on private credit, while an AI-native reinsurance platform backed by IHC, BlackRock, and ADGM firms is taking shape. Each move strengthens Abu Dhabi’s grip on global capital flows.
But the innovation story may be even bigger. ADGM signed an MoU with Chainlink in March, tying the IFC to the global standard for onchain finance. The goal: build tokenisation frameworks that are both compliant and scalable.
In Q1 2025, Stacks Asia and Bitgrit also joined the ecosystem, leveraging ADGM’s Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations framework. Together, these developments are cementing Abu Dhabi’s rise as the region’s blockchain hub with global credibility.
This isn’t scattered progress. It’s a coordinated playbook that blends finance, energy, AI, and blockchain into one growth engine.
ADGM’s Position as Market Capitalisation Leader
ADGM isn’t just the largest by licences. It now leads the MENA region by market capitalisation of listed entities, with over AED 500 billion on ADX. That firepower feeds Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy and strengthens its role in capital formation across the region.
Regulatory and Infrastructure Enhancements
Rules are evolving with the market. ADGM rolled out progressive frameworks aligned with global standards, covering everything from Basel Core Principles to cyber risk management.
On the ground, it launched digital platforms like AccessRP, aimed at streamlining the real estate ecosystem. Costs were tackled too, with reduced commercial permit fees and new regulations designed to give firms more operational flexibility.
Beyond Abu Dhabi, ADGM signed MoUs with Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Sweden, and Astana, extending its influence into new markets.
ADGM Courts and Dispute Resolution
ADGM is also building trust in the legal space. It launched a Pro Bono Mediators Panel to widen access to justice. And it secured a global spotlight, with Abu Dhabi set to host the International Bar Association’s Arbitration Day in January 2026.
Talent Development and ADGM Academy Initiatives
The focus isn’t just on firms. It’s on people. ADGM Academy ran targeted training sessions and industry-specific events. Emiratis are gaining ground through job placements and tailored upskilling programs.
Knowledge-building is part of the push too, with research papers on AI, cybersecurity, and financial crime prevention shaping the next wave of expertise from Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Advantages for Financial Hub Growth
Why Abu Dhabi? Because the city has built the full package. Infrastructure, law, talent, and global reach all stack in its favour.
Start with infrastructure. Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands are more than shiny real estate. They’re purpose-built districts wired with advanced digital systems, transport links, and Grade A office space. That creates a physical backbone that rivals any global hub from London to Singapore.
Then there’s connectivity. Abu Dhabi sits at the crossroads of East and West. Direct flights link the capital to over 120 cities worldwide, making it as easy for a fund manager in New York or a family office in Mumbai to plug into ADGM as it is for a local investor.
The legal framework is another advantage. ADGM operates under English Common Law, one of the most trusted systems in international finance. That gives global firms clarity and comfort when structuring deals, raising capital, or resolving disputes. It’s a sharp contrast to many regional centres where rules can be opaque.
On the people side, the demographics are on Abu Dhabi’s side. The UAE’s population is growing, with a workforce that is young, multilingual, and increasingly specialised in finance, tech, and law. Emiratisation programmes and ADGM Academy are also building homegrown talent pipelines to support the sector long-term.
Finally, the policy environment matters. The UAE government has kept rules transparent and business-friendly. Licensing is faster. Fees are competitive. And reforms like corporate tax clarity, digital platforms such as AccessRP, and reduced operating costs make scaling here simpler than in rival markets.
Put it together, and you see why global players aren’t just setting up outposts. They’re making Abu Dhabi a base of operations in MENA – and increasingly, a launchpad into wider emerging markets.
ADEPTS’ Role in Accelerating UAE’s Financial Rise
Growth in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE doesn’t happen by accident. Ambitious businesses still need to navigate licenses, regulators, and tax rules before they can tap into the opportunities. That’s where ADEPTS comes in.
We help with company formation in adgm – from fintech startups to global banks – set up and expand in ADGM and across the UAE’s Free Zones. Our job is to simplify the maze: structuring businesses, securing licenses, meeting compliance deadlines, and making sure every box regulators care about is ticked.
But we don’t stop at compliance. ADEPTS works with founders, CFOs, and investors to shape strategies that match the UAE’s fast-moving financial landscape. Whether it’s tax planning, cross-border structuring, or operational guidance, we help clients stay ahead of the curve.
The impact is bigger than individual clients. By lowering entry barriers and building confidence in the system, ADEPTS strengthens ADGM’s position as a trusted gateway for foreign investors and a launchpad for local partnerships.
For businesses that want to scale quickly and sustainably in the UAE, ADEPTS is the partner that makes the rules clear and the path forward visible.
Future Outlook and 10th Anniversary Highlights
ADGM is about to hit a milestone: ten years of operation. But the real story is ahead. The growth pipeline for 2025 and beyond is strong. New firms are coming in. Global partnerships are expanding. Regulations are evolving to stay ahead.
The ambition is bold: to make Abu Dhabi the Capital of Capital. With momentum building, that vision looks closer than ever.
References
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/economy/adgm-largest-international-financial-centre-in-mena-with-11000-plus-active-licences-at-end-of-h1-2025/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/adgm-is-the-mena-regions-largest-ifc-with-11-128-active-licences-at-the-end-of-h1-2025–302549083.html
- https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/chainlink-joins-adgm-on-blockchain-and-ai-after-ripple-collaboration/
- https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/stacks-asia-dlt-foundation-joins-adgm
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/adgm-mena-regions-largest-ifc-125100053.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF-0cSVMljskDARgqNaaH41OGm7OR4QMDVN61KDvNYz6R6lm3DN3Fq9C5Kd_BbKY8ayxixyP3ZHUqbVABou2Sa5OUXV1WiSOW4p-ErsVPv3LbTLUXtr9jrdK81ved3eQD68TvYfJVt5-J4NhqBkL7-sL8HnA5YozBsnJUg7yfHIw
