Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has firmly established itself as the largest and fastest-growing financial center in the Middle East and North Africa for the first half of 2025, with over 11,000 active licenses and a remarkable 42% increase in assets under management.
During this period, ADGM also emerged as the leading international financial center in the region by market capitalization of the companies operating within it and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, reflecting its growing role in enhancing the contribution of the financial sector to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy, which reported a growth of 9.1% in the first quarter of 2025.
The first half of the year was marked by strategic partnerships and deals among major institutions in Abu Dhabi and companies operating within ADGM, highlighting its crucial role in facilitating global firms’ investments and the establishment of local and regional strategic alliances.
Exceptional Performance
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, stated: “As we approach the completion of a decade since the launch of operations at ADGM, we take pride in our continuous growth, which reflects our steadfast commitment to excellence. This has been demonstrated by our exceptional performance and the increasing global confidence in Abu Dhabi as a significant global financial hub and capital for investments. Such record-breaking results would not have been possible without our extensive strategic partnerships at local, regional, and international levels, along with our clear and well-defined vision.”
Record Activity
The number of companies operating within ADGM, which includes both financial and non-financial entities, rose to 2,972 in the first half of 2025, marking an annual increase of 42%. This figure comprises 308 financial firms and 2,664 non-financial companies, supported by a business-friendly environment, advanced regulatory frameworks, and access to global and regional capital. Additionally, ADGM stands out as the only entity in the region that employs a regulatory framework based on the direct application of English common law, attracting both established and emerging companies to Abu Dhabi.
During the same period, ADGM issued 1,869 new licenses, the highest number granted in a six-month span since its establishment, representing a 47% growth compared to the same period last year, bringing the total number of active licenses to 11,128.
Meanwhile, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority granted 52 preliminary approvals for financial service firms, a 27% annual increase, along with 45 financial service permits, which saw a 45% rise.
Global Companies
This momentum has attracted several prominent global firms to join the ADGM ecosystem, including Kimeridge, Fortress, Circle, Oryx Global Partners, GMB Limited, Partners Group, Karta, Bitcoin Suisse, Tradition, Bitgreyt, Harrison Street, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, Hidden Roads, Bolin Capital, Arcapita, Seivora, Akila Group, Skadden, Patrizia, Neovest, Invest Industrial, and Digital Climate Middle East.
The asset management sector within ADGM continued its upward trajectory in the first half of the year, with assets under management surging by approximately 42% compared to the first half of 2024. By the end of June 2025, the number of asset managers and funds in ADGM reached 154, with the number of funds increasing to 209.
A notable example includes American investment management firm “Novin,” which opened its first Middle Eastern office at ADGM last year and currently manages between $3 billion to $5 billion from ADGM, with expectations to double its assets under management in the region within the next three years.
These developments underscore the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi and its international financial center as a premier global destination for major financial firms seeking to access capital and establish strategic partnerships.