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Abu Dhabi, UAEMay 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced a strong start to 2026, with its financial ecosystem continuing to expand and global investor confidence remaining stable.
The total number of active licenses has exceeded 13,353, with 961 new licenses added in the first quarter of 2026 alone. By this metric, ADGM has solidified its position as the largest financial center in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Additionally, the number of active licenses in March 2026 grew by 5.2% compared to March 2025, further confirming sustained demand for ADGM and enduring corporate confidence in it. The financial center also recorded a 57% increase in Assets Under Management (AUM), demonstrating robust business momentum and growing demand from global and regional asset management firms.
This record performance underscores ADGM’s long-term strategic vision of establishing itself as one of the world’s top five financial centers.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, stated: “ADGM’s performance in the first quarter of 2026 reflects the scale, growth rate, and increasing global influence of Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem. Surpassing 13,000 active licenses and achieving 57% growth in Assets Under Management marks another significant milestone in ADGM’s growth trajectory and solidifies its position as one of the fastest-growing international financial centers globally. Investor confidence in Abu Dhabi remains strong. Capital continues to flow in, global enterprises continue to expand, and talent continues to converge on Abu Dhabi. Even amid recent regional uncertainties, ADGM has maintained its growth, reflecting sustained demand and long-term confidence in Abu Dhabi’s institutional environment.”
He added: “This ongoing momentum reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a stable, credible, and globally connected investment destination, underpinned by world-class infrastructure, a robust and forward-looking regulatory framework, and increasingly seamless access to international talent and expertise.”
He further remarked: “In today’s global economy, competitiveness increasingly hinges on institutional strength, regulatory credibility, and the ability to provide long-term certainty for capital. ADGM continues to build a globally connected financial center suited for this new era, integrating openness, innovation, and strong governance to further cement Abu Dhabi’s position as a capital hub.”
In addition to the strong 57% growth in AUM, the number of asset and fund management firms increased to 179, representing a 24% rise from 144 in the first quarter of 2025. The total number of funds managed within ADGM also reached 263, a 43% increase from 184 in the same period last year. This growth highlights the depth and diversity of ADGM’s fund ecosystem, encompassing private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and sustainable finance strategies.
Asset management firms that announced their establishment in ADGM in 2026 collectively manage over $4.4 trillion in global AUM, further reinforcing the center’s growing importance as a hub for institutional capital and driving the overall AUM growth in the first quarter of 2026.
ADGM’s broader business ecosystem continues to expand, with total active licenses reaching 13,353, including 961 new licenses issued in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a net increase of 2,783 licenses since the first quarter of 2025, highlighting sustained business confidence and robust demand across various sectors.
The number of operating entities also grew significantly to 3,741, a 34.52% increase from 2,781 in the first quarter of 2025.
This growth has been supported by several real estate sector initiatives launched by ADGM. The latest measures include the introduction of a Broker Classification Framework to enhance real estate standards, and a new suite of real estate services launched by the ADGM Registration Authority to improve accessibility and flexibility in the sector.
ADGM also announced in February 2026 the opening of a new service center at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, enhancing direct engagement with businesses and residents on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.
ADGM’s financial services sector recorded continued growth, with the number of financial services entities rising to 365, a 30% increase from 281 in the first quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued 22 In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) in the first quarter of 2026. Additionally, during the same period, entities obtained 29 new Financial Services Permits (FSPs), a 45% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025.
The latest 2026 data shows that several global and regional asset management firms and financial institutions have announced high-profile establishments in ADGM. These include trillion- and multi-billion-dollar AUM firms such as Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Muzinich & Co., Madison Realty Capital, and Grow Investment Group. At the same time, firms such as Rokos Capital Management, Polygreen Holdings, and Hashed have also announced their establishment in ADGM, further enriching the center’s asset management landscape in hedge funds, alternative investments, and digital assets.
This growth underscores the strength of ADGM’s forward-looking regulatory framework and its unique status as the only financial center in the region to directly apply English Common Law, reinforcing its ability to attract a diverse range of global financial institutions.
ADGM’s workforce continues to grow substantially, reaching 47,047 in the first quarter of 2026, a 44% increase. This growth contributes to Abu Dhabi’s broader human capital development and further solidifies ADGM’s position as a leading talent hub, supporting the creation of a vibrant and globally competitive financial ecosystem.
In 2026, ADGM continues to strengthen its international presence through a series of high-level engagements, strategic partnerships, and participation in leading global forums.
In Asia, ADGM has expanded its influence through engagements in key financial hubs such as China, India, and Singapore, aiming to deepen bilateral ties and facilitate cross-border investment flows. Notably, ADGM signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shenzhen’s Futian District, further strengthening collaboration between Abu Dhabi and one of China’s leading financial centers, focusing on promoting innovation, capital market connectivity, and business exchanges.
Abu Dhabi’s strategic engagement with Italy, led by the Chairman of ADGM, further enhances its global financial connectivity, fostering deeper collaboration in areas such as investment, financial services, and institutional partnerships.
Recently, ADGM also maintained a strong presence in the United States by participating in the 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference, one of the premier gatherings for global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
On the sidelines of the conference, ADGM held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with leading global financial institutions such as Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners, and Man Group, exploring opportunities to deepen collaboration and further expand Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem.
As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, ADGM is strengthening its position as a trusted gateway for capital flows between regional and international markets, offering businesses and investors a resilient, transparent, and future-oriented ecosystem.