Abu Dhabi Global Market Hits 10 Years With 36% AUM Growth and 51% Rise in Workforce

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) marked a decade of operations in 2025 with a significant acceleration in growth, underscored by a 36% increase in assets under management (AUM) and a 51% rise in workforce.

The financial centre also issued 3,769 new licenses during the year, bringing the total number of active licenses to 12,671, while the number of asset and fund managers rose to 171, collectively overseeing 244 funds.

The year also saw a wave of global institutions, including Cantor Fitzgerald, BBVA, Arab Bank Switzerland, and Plenary Middle East, establishing a presence within ADGM, further reinforcing its position as a growing global financial hub.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, “2025 marked a defining chapter in ADGM’s milestones. We achieved another year of significant growth in our AUMs, reflecting both the confidence of our partners and the strength of our investment strategies. Equally important was our success in attracting leading global players to ADGM, reinforcing our position as a gateway for world‑class talent, capital, and innovation. This progress demonstrates the power of a thriving ecosystem, one built on partnerships, long‑term value creation, and a solid commitment to excellence. And as we continue to align closely with Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision, we remain focused on driving sustainable growth and elevating our competitive advantage to become one of the top five international financial centers in the world.”

The number of total active licences across ADGM rose 30% to reach 12,671 at the end of 2025, further strengthening its position as the largest IFC in the Middle East and Africa region by this measure.

Meanwhile, the growth in business activity across the IFC continued to attract a diverse and highly-skilled talent pool across Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. This led to ADGM’s total workforce increasing by 51% to 44,339 individuals in 2025 from 29,338 in 2024.

In a global regulatory first, Binance became the first crypto exchange to secure a formal global license from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in December 2025.

At the end of 2025, ADGM was home to 171 asset and fund managers, which collectively manage 244 funds. A total of 347 financial institutions are now based in ADGM, 80 of which were licensed last year.

Meanwhile, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued a total of 120 In-Principle Approvals (IPAs), up almost 32% year-on-year.

Throughout the year, ADGM’s wider ecosystem welcomed 3,495 operational entities, almost a 40% increase from a year earlier, underscoring the range of businesses choosing the financial centre as their regional base.

Abu Dhabi’s growing global stature as a leading financial centre was further affirmed in December through its recognition in the inaugural Financial Centre Competitiveness Index (FCCI) published by NYU Stern School of Business. The index ranked the UAE capital as the number one financial centre in the MENA region and 12th globally, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s strong institutional foundations, progressive regulatory environment and future-ready ecosystem.