The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) celebrated 10 years of operations, continuing to achieve strong growth and new strategic accomplishments. Major global companies have chosen ADGM as their regional headquarters, and the total number of active licenses increased by 30% to reach 12,671 licenses by the end of 2025. The workforce in the financial center grew by 51% to 44,339 people, compared to 29,338 in 2024. The Assets Under Management (AUM) grew by 36%, reflecting the continued confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted global hub for asset and wealth managers.
«2025 marked a pivotal moment in ADGM's journey,» said ADGM Chairman of the Board, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi. «We witnessed a record and remarkable growth in AUM, which reflects the increasing trust from our global partners and the strength of our investment strategies. We have successfully attracted a cadre of the world's leading institutions to ADGM, which has solidified our standing as a global platform for attracting talent, capital, and fostering innovation.»
He added: «This progress embodies the resilience of our integrated business ecosystem, built on impactful partnerships, creating sustainable value, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. As we continue to align our goals with the strategic vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, we will focus on achieving sustainable growth, enhancing our global competitiveness, and elevating ADGM to be among the top five international financial centers in the world.»
Throughout the past year, a number of leading companies in the fields of financial technology, digital assets, banking, infrastructure investments, sustainable consulting, global legal services, and modern technology-enabled financial platforms announced the establishment of their operations in ADGM.
In a global regulatory first, Binance became the first digital asset trading platform to obtain an official global license from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority in December 2025, enabling it to operate from Abu Dhabi within a comprehensive, world-class regulatory framework.
By the end of last year, the number of asset and fund managers in ADGM reached 171, collectively managing 244 funds, while the number of financial companies headquartered in ADGM stood at 347, with 80 obtaining a license in the past year. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority also issued 120 in-principle approvals, a 32% increase from 2024, and granted new permits to 94 companies to offer financial services.
Over the course of 2025, 3,495 new companies joined ADGM, a 40% increase from 2024, confirming the diversity of companies choosing the financial center as their regional base.
Abu Dhabi's global standing was further enhanced in December when it was ranked as the top financial center in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally in the Z/Yen Global Financial Centres Index, an achievement that reflects the strength of its institutional infrastructure and advanced regulatory environment.
In 2025, ADGM continued to prioritize human capital development through the ADGM Academy. Over the year, the Academy supported 9,500 individuals through professional and academic training programs, contributed to creating 6,000 job opportunities, and empowered 3,000 graduates to complete personal skills and employability programs aligned with the needs of the private sector.
• A 51% annual increase in the ADGM workforce to 44,300 people.
