The latest Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) news has reported another period of strong growth, with assets under management increasing by 57% in the first quarter of 2026 and the total number of active licences exceeding 13,000 for the first time. Those figures reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal to international investors, but the announcements that have followed over recent months suggest something equally significant. As more businesses establish a presence in ADGM, the regulatory framework and wider business ecosystem are evolving at much the same pace.
Business activity has remained strong, ADGM registration authority publishes that 961 new licences were issued during the first quarter and a growing number of international asset managers establishing operations in Abu Dhabi. The more interesting development, however, is the widening mix of organisations now choosing ADGM. Banks, digital asset firms, international law practices and specialist advisers are increasingly becoming part of the same ecosystem, giving the financial centre greater depth as well as scale.
Administrative Regulations evolving alongside growth
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority’s 2025 Annual Report reflects the increasing scale of the market it now supervises. During 2025, the FSRA granted 95 Financial Services Permissions, a 22% increase on the previous year, while In-Principle Approvals rose by 32%. The report also outlines wider use of regulatory technology, five new memoranda of understanding with overseas regulators and continued work to strengthen financial crime prevention.
The Registration Authority has also amended ADGM’s commercial legislation, with immediate effect, introducing new beneficial ownership reporting requirements, public disclosure of nominee shareholders and directors and restrictions on high-value cash transactions for certain professional service providers.
Abu Dhabi Global Market – A Truly Global Market Taking Shape
Bitcoin Suisse recently became one of the latest international firms to secure Financial Services Permission from the FSRA. On one level, it is another licensing announcement. More broadly, it reflects how digital asset businesses are increasingly looking for jurisdictions where regulatory frameworks have developed alongside the market itself. For institutional investors, regulatory certainty has become as important as technological capability.
A similar pattern can be seen outside financial services. Pérez-Llorca recently chose ADGM for its first office in the Gulf, describing Abu Dhabi as an increasingly important centre for international investment and cross-border transactions. Financial centres do not develop through banks and fund managers alone. As international capital flows become more complex, demand also grows for legal advisers, fiduciary specialists, accountants and other professional firms capable of supporting those transactions.
The result is a financial centre that is becoming broader as well as bigger with growth being measured by range of businesses and services rather than just numbers of licences issued.
A different phase of development
Financial centres often become known for rapid expansion during their early years. Sustaining that momentum depends on something different. Investors look for regulatory consistency, transparent governance and a professional services environment capable of supporting increasingly sophisticated cross-border activity over the long term.
Recent developments across ADGM suggest growing attention is being given to those foundations alongside continued commercial expansion. The latest figures provide evidence of continued business growth, while the accompanying regulatory changes and international arrivals offer a clearer indication of how the financial centre itself is evolving.
“Recent announcements show that ADGM’s development is becoming increasingly well-rounded. Alongside continued commercial growth, we are seeing investment in regulation, governance and the wider professional ecosystem that supports international business,”
“For businesses establishing a presence in ADGM, understanding the regulatory framework, structuring the business appropriately and putting the right governance arrangements in place from the outset all contribute to long-term success.”
ADGM Company Service Providers Offer Great Support
Keep up to date with new regulations emerging out of ADGM. Often business in ADGM find that company service providers such as Sovereign, make setting up and maintaining ADGM entities easier as we understand application requirements, governance standards that ADGM require and are often first to be informed about new administrative regulations or changes in commercial licensing regulations. We can support existing licence holders as well as new applicants and entities. For more support, contact us.
