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Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, has commenced 2026 with robust growth, marked by significant expansion across its financial ecosystem and sustained global investor confidence.
The centre reported a 57% increase in Assets Under Management (AUM) and a total of over 13,353 active licences in Q1 2026. This includes 961 new licences issued in the first quarter alone, solidifying ADGM's position as the MEASA region's largest financial centre by this metric. March 2026 also saw a 5.2% increase in new active licences compared to March 2025, indicating sustained demand and business confidence.
This record performance aligns with ADGM's long-term strategic vision to establish itself among the world's top five financial centres.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM commented:
ADGM's performance in the first quarter of 2026 reflects the scale, pace, and growing global relevance of Abu Dhabi's financial ecosystem. Surpassing 13,000 active licences and recording 57% growth in assets under management marks another major milestone in ADGM's growth trajectory and reinforces its position among the world's fastest-growing international financial centres. Investor confidence in Abu Dhabi remains strong. Capital continues to flow, global firms continue to expand, and talent continues to relocate to Abu Dhabi. During the recent period of regional uncertainty, ADGM continued to grow, reflecting sustained demand and long-term confidence in Abu Dhabi's institutional environment.
He added:
This continued momentum reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a stable, trusted, and globally connected destination for investment underpinned by world-class infrastructure, a robust and forward-looking regulatory framework, and deepening access to international talent and expertise.
He also stated:
In today's global economy, competitiveness is increasingly defined by institutional strength, regulatory credibility, and the ability to provide long-term certainty for capital. ADGM continues to build a globally connected financial centre designed for this new era, combining openness, innovation, and strong governance, while further strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as the Capital of Capital.
Beyond the 57% growth in AUM, the number of asset and fund managers operating within ADGM increased by 24% to 179 in Q1 2026, up from 144 in Q1 2025. The total number of funds managed from ADGM also grew by 43% to 263, compared to 184 in the previous year. This expansion highlights the depth and diversity of ADGM's funds ecosystem, encompassing private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and sustainable finance strategies.
Collectively, asset managers announcing their establishment in ADGM in 2026 represent over USD 4.4 trillion in global assets under management, reinforcing the centre's growing prominence as a hub for institutional capital. These firms often seek reliable firms that supply market depth and robust financial infrastructure.
ADGM's broader business ecosystem also continued its expansion, with total active licences reaching 13,353, including 961 new licences issued during Q1 2026. This represents a net increase of 2,783 licences since Q1 2025, demonstrating sustained business confidence and strong demand across various sectors. The number of operational entities significantly increased to 3,741, marking a 34.52% rise from 2,781 in Q1 2025.
This growth is further supported by ADGM's initiatives in the real estate sector, such as the introduction of the Broker Classification Framework to elevate real estate standards and a new suite of real estate services by the Registration Authority of ADGM. The centre also opened a new Service Centre at The Galleria Al Maryah Island in February 2026 to enhance direct engagement with businesses and residents.
The financial services sector within ADGM also recorded sustained growth, with the number of financial services entities rising to 365, a 30% increase compared to 281 in Q1 2025. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued 22 In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) in Q1 2026, and 29 new Financial Services Permissions (FSPs) were secured, representing a 45% increase over Q1 2025.
The latest statistics for 2026 highlight several high-profile announcements from global and regional asset managers and financial institutions establishing a presence in ADGM. These include firms with trillion-dollar and billion-dollar AUMs such as Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Muzinich & Co., Madison Realty Capital, and Grow Investment Group. In parallel, firms like Rokos Capital Management, Polygreen Holdings, and Hashed have also announced their establishment in ADGM, further diversifying the centre's asset management landscape across hedge funds, alternative investments, and digital asset prime brokerage services.
This expansion underscores the strength of ADGM's progressive regulatory framework, which positions it as the only financial centre in the region to directly apply English Common Law. This robust approach to governance is a key factor in attracting a diverse range of global financial institutions and plays a vital role in the broader discussion around global crypto regulation.
ADGM's workforce also grew significantly, reaching 47,047, a 44% increase in Q1 2026. This contributes to Abu Dhabi's broader human capital development and reinforces ADGM's role as a leading talent hub, supporting the development of a dynamic and globally competitive financial ecosystem.
ADGM continued to strengthen its international presence in 2026 through strategic partnerships and participation in leading global forums. In Asia, engagements in China, India, and Singapore aimed to deepen bilateral ties and enhance cross-border investment flows. A strategic partnership with Shenzhen's Futian District was signed, focusing on fostering innovation, capital markets connectivity, and business exchange. Abu Dhabi also reinforced its global financial connectivity through engagement with Italy, led by ADGM's Chairman, supporting increased collaboration across investment and financial services.
More recently, ADGM maintained a strong presence in the United States through participation in the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026, one of the world's premier gatherings of global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders. On the sidelines, ADGM engaged in high-level bilateral meetings with leading global financial institutions, including Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners, and Man Group, exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration and further expansion. Such participation is crucial for staying connected with the wider fintech industry events calendar and fostering cross-border investment flows.
The sustained growth of financial centres like ADGM is indicative of the broader trends in institutional finance, where the demand for sophisticated infrastructure, robust regulatory environments, and diverse asset management capabilities continues to rise. For LiquidityFinder's audience, this highlights the evolving landscape for institutional FX, prime brokerage, and crypto infrastructure providers who seek stable and well-regulated jurisdictions for expansion and capital deployment. The attraction of multi-trillion-dollar asset managers to ADGM underscores the ongoing need for advanced liquidity solutions and prime services to support global institutional capital.
As the financial landscape continues its rapid evolution, explore LiquidityFinder Insight for the latest analysis on institutional finance and digital assets.
