Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre Posts Record Licence Growth and Expands Digital‑Asset Footprint in 2025
A year of accelerated expansion
Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre (ADGM) closed 2025 with a suite of milestones that underscore its ambition to become a leading global hub for finance, technology and real‑asset investment. The centre reported more than 12,000 active licences at year‑end, a 30% increase over the previous year, and a workforce that grew to 44,339 employees – a 51% jump from 2024. Assets under management (AUM) rose 36%, reflecting heightened confidence among global asset and wealth managers in the emirate’s regulatory environment.
Licence surge signals market confidence
The surge in active licences, now totaling 12,671, positions ADGM as the largest international financial centre (IFC) in the Middle East and Africa by this metric. The influx of new licences came from a mix of established global firms and emerging fintech players, indicating that the centre’s blend of regulatory rigor and business‑friendly policies continues to attract a diverse set of institutions.
Talent pipeline expands alongside business activity
Business growth translated into a rapid expansion of human capital. ADGM’s employee count rose from 29,338 in 2024 to 44,339 in 2025, driven by hiring across Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. The talent pool now includes specialists in fintech, digital assets, infrastructure investment, sustainability advisory, and technology‑enabled financial platforms, reinforcing the centre’s reputation as a magnet for high‑skill professionals.
A wave of new fintech and digital‑asset entrants
2025 saw a notable influx of fintech and digital‑asset firms establishing a presence in ADGM. Companies such as:
- digital ads Circle
- Carta
- Bitcoin Suisse
- Tradition
- Bitgrit
- Stacks Asia DLT Foundation
- Hidden Roads
- Skadden
- Digital Climate Middle East
- Olive Gaea
- TON
- Animoca Brands
- BBVA
- Arab Bank (Switzerland) Gulf
- Galaxy Digital
- Halo Investing
- Eurasian Development Bank
- iCapital
- ERM
- marketing platforms DLA Piper
announced plans to set up operations within the centre. Their arrival diversifies ADGM’s ecosystem and adds depth to its fintech and sustainable‑finance offerings.
A landmark development in the digital‑asset space was Binance’s successful acquisition of a formal global licence from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in December 2025. This marks the first time a cryptocurrency exchange has secured such a licence, allowing Binance to operate under a comprehensive, world‑class regulatory framework and positioning ADGM at the forefront of compliant digital‑asset infrastructure.
Asset and fund management landscape deepens
By the close of 2025, ADGM hosted 171 asset and fund managers overseeing a collective 244 funds. The total number of financial institutions based in the centre rose to 347, with 80 of those licences granted in the year alone. Notable entrants include:
- Kimmeridge
- Fortress
- Polen Capital
- Adams Street
- Arcapita
- Aquila Group
- Cantor Fitzgerald
- Davidson Kempner
- DWS
- Galaxy’s asset‑management arm
- GMB Limited
- HarbourVest
- Harrison Street
- Investindustrial
- KKR
- Monroe Capital
- NewVest
- Oryx Global Partners
- PATRIZIA
- Partners Group
- Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners Ltd.
- Seviora
- UBS Group
- Julius Baer
These firms contribute to a robust fund‑management ecosystem that supports both traditional and alternative investment strategies.
The FSRA also issued 120 In‑Principle Approvals (IPAs)—a 32% year‑on‑year increase—and approved 94 new financial platforms, indicating a steady pipeline of upcoming service launches.
Operational entities multiply, reinforcing the ecosystem
Across the broader ADGM ecosystem, 3,495 operational entities were recorded in 2025, a near‑40% rise from the prior year. This expansion reflects the centre’s appeal as a regional base for a wide spectrum of businesses, ranging from legal and advisory firms to technology providers and service‑oriented platforms.
International recognition and strategic positioning
Abu Dhabi’s ascent on the global stage was validated in December when the inaugural Financial Centre Competitiveness Index (FCCI) by NYU Stern ranked the emirate as the top financial centre in the MENA region and 12th worldwide. The ranking highlights the city’s strong institutional foundations, progressive regulatory regime and forward‑looking ecosystem.
The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) convened in Abu Dhabi in November 2025, drawing sovereign investors from around the globe. The forum reinforced the emirate’s role as a trusted convenor of long‑term capital and a platform for high‑level content strategy.
Strategic outreach and diplomatic engagement
ADGM amplified its international outreach throughout 2025. Early in the year, the centre joined an Abu Dhabi delegation on roadshows to China and Japan, followed by additional missions to London, New York, Singapore and India later in the year. These trips resulted in multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and a series of events aimed at showcasing investment opportunities across Abu Dhabi’s high‑growth sectors.
In September, the FSRA co‑hosted a high‑level roundtable in Hong Kong with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to explore avenues for Hong Kong asset managers seeking entry into ADGM, underscoring the centre’s commitment to fostering cross‑border collaboration.
Regulatory enhancements align with global standards
ADGM’s regulatory framework continued to evolve in line with international best practices. The FSRA introduced legislative updates that adhere to Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles. A new Funds Reporting Regime was launched to improve transparency, data quality, and supervisory oversight within the asset‑management sector.
Further, the FSRA released a Consultation Paper on Transition Planning Principles, aligning with UAE regulatory priorities and coordination with the Central Bank. The paper outlines expectations for financial institutions to bolster resilience and long‑term preparedness.
Real‑estate jurisdiction expands and major development announced
Following the integration of Al Reem Island, ADGM fully activated its expanded real‑estate jurisdiction in 2025. The Real‑Estate Authority (RA) rolled out more than 70 services covering property transactions, leasing, project registration, licensing and work permits, all under incentivised schemes designed to streamline operations for investors and developers.
In December, Mubadala and Aldar unveiled a joint venture exceeding AED 60 billion to further develop Al Maryah Island. The project will add 1.5 million sqm of office, residential, retail and hospitality space, cementing the island’s status as one of the world’s largest financial districts.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week showcases scale and ambition
ADGM’s flagship event, Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, set new participation records with 68 events, 394 thematic sessions and over 800 speakers. The gathering attracted almost 70 global and regional partners and drew participants managing more than USD 60 trillion in assets—equivalent to over half of global GDP. Attendance topped 35,000, with 30% representing international delegates from 175 nationalities, highlighting the centre’s growing global reach.
Through ADFW, ADGM amplified Abu Dhabi’s decade‑long growth agenda and reinforced its branding as the “Capital of Capital.”
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