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Abu Dhabi, UAEMay 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) successfully made its mark at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026, held from May 3 to 6 in Los Angeles, capping a significant month. This month, eight major global financial institutions (with combined assets under management of $4.4 trillion) announced plans to establish a presence in the emirate.
During the visit, a delegation led by H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, further solidified Abu Dhabi’s position as the “Capital of Capital” and underscored the emirate’s crucial role as a key connector of global capital between the Global North and South. Alongside ADGM executives, H.E. Al Zaabi engaged with global policymakers, institutional investors, and renowned asset managers during the conference, discussing Abu Dhabi’s strategic role in the future of finance, global investment flows, and cross-border collaboration.
H.E. Al Zaabi emphasized that ADGM’s strategic focus is on converting institutional investor interest into long-term partnerships and market access. He stated: “Our engagements in the U.S. reflect a deliberate strategy to deepen relationships with the world’s leading capital allocators and financial institutions. Today, global capital is increasingly converging toward platforms that offer predictability, institutional strength, and global connectivity. As ADGM aims to be among the world’s top five financial centers, we continue to strengthen a globally trusted ecosystem built on regulatory clarity, forward-looking governance, and direct access to regional and international opportunities. As the fastest-growing international financial center in the region, ADGM’s momentum in attracting the world’s leading asset management firms is strong and exceptional. Global institutions with nearly $4.4 trillion in assets under management choosing ADGM as their expansion base is a testament to this demand. While deepening global partnerships, we remain committed to empowering capital, fostering innovation, cementing Abu Dhabi’s status as the ‘Capital of Capital’, and helping shape the future of global finance.”
During the Milken conference, H.E. Al Zaabi held a fireside chat with Alan Schwartz, Executive Chairman of Guggenheim Partners. In the dialogue titled “Driving Global Financial Innovation,” H.E. Al Zaabi highlighted Abu Dhabi’s remarkable economic transformation and the role of ADGM in building a resilient, future-oriented financial ecosystem.
H.E. Al Zaabi emphasized the UAE’s long-term diversification strategy and the structural resilience underpinning its growth, stating: “The UAE’s resilience stems from deliberate strategy, not reactive measures. What we are witnessing today is the validation of this model—an economy that continues to operate steadily even under pressure.”
H.E. Al Zaabi added: “ADGM continues to grow. In March 2026, we issued 284 new licenses, up from 270 in the same period last year, achieving a 5.2% increase.”
He highlighted ADGM’s positioning in the rapidly evolving global financial landscape: “We are building a financial center designed for a new era—a system that combines openness with institutional strength, and connectivity with long-term capital. This is what we mean when we say Abu Dhabi is the ‘Capital of Capital.'”
ADGM’s presence at the Milken conference follows a series of prominent financial institutions announcing their operational establishment within its jurisdiction.
Since late March, institutions such as Muzinich & Co. ($30.5 billion), Hillhouse Investment Management (over $100 billion in AUM), Barings ($481 billion in AUM), and Bain Capital ($225 billion in AUM) have opened offices in ADGM.
Additionally, in the week leading up to the Milken conference, Hashed Global Management Limited ($324 million in AUM) and Rokos Capital Management ($22 billion in AUM) obtained Financial Services Permits (FSP), while Capital Group ($3.3 trillion in AUM) and Man Group ($228.7 billion in AUM) announced plans to establish operations in Abu Dhabi.
Global Engagements
During the Milken conference, ADGM conducted over 50 high-level engagements with leading global institutions, including Man Group, Bain Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle Global Investment Management, Coinbase, and Guggenheim, further deepening relationships with key stakeholders in the U.S. financial ecosystem.
These engagements centered on collaboration aimed at facilitating institutional access to the Abu Dhabi market, leveraging ADGM’s advanced regulatory framework and global connectivity advantages.
ADGM continues to play a central role in implementing Abu Dhabi’s broader economic vision, evolving as a trusted, future-oriented financial center built on international best practices and the direct application of English Common Law.