Abu Dhabi – September 12, 2026 -- Assets under management at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) surged 54% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, while the financial center's workforce grew to 49,027 professionals and active licenses climbed to nearly 14,000.
ADGM's fund management ecosystem expands sharply in H1 2026
The number of fund and asset managers based at ADGM reached 190, up 23% from 154 in H1 2025, with 11 new managers added in the second quarter alone -- the largest quarterly increase on record. Funds managed from ADGM rose 32% to 276, from 209 a year earlier. Asset managers that established operations at ADGM in H1 2026 collectively administer global assets exceeding $2.1 trillion.
Active licenses hit 13,974, making ADGM the largest MEASA financial center by this metric
ADGM issued 1,814 licenses during the first half, while operating entities rose 34% to 3,986 from 2,972 a year earlier. Financial services entities operating in the jurisdiction increased 27% to 392, up from 308 in H1 2025. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) granted 50 in-principle approvals and 45 new financial services permissions.
Firms establishing, launching or expanding operations during the period included Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Muzinich & Co., Madison Realty Capital, Rokos Capital Management, Cantor, Bitexen MENA and Blue Owl, among others.
Workforce grows by 4,688 professionals in six months
Combined staff across Al Maryah and Al Reem islands reached 49,027 by mid-2026, a 34% increase year-on-year. ADGM Academy trained 1,607 Emirati citizens during the period and graduated a third cohort of 28 young nationals, while 15 UAE citizens were selected for the World Bank Group's "Explorers" program. The Academy also launched the Wealth Management Institute's AI School, training more than 544 UAE nationals in agentic AI.
AI-focused investments managed at ADGM exceed $100 billion
Entities based at ADGM now manage AI-focused investments worth more than $100 billion, anchored by MGX, the FSRA-licensed global investment platform focused on large-scale capital deployment in AI infrastructure and advanced technologies. During H1 2026, ADGM completed the first phase of its AI implementation, deploying 25 AI-driven business functions across licensing, supervision and client service. The rollout cut manual workload by more than 5,000 staff hours annually and now resolves roughly 25% of client inquiries instantly through digital channels.
Under a technology roadmap extending to 2029, ADGM will invest more than AED 400 million to scale these capabilities further.
Regulatory reforms target insurance, crypto staking and AML compliance
ADGM's Registration Authority introduced integrated real estate services and a new broker classification framework, and published a consultation paper on proposed guidelines for crypto mining activities and amendments to commercial legislation strengthening beneficial ownership requirements. The FSRA advanced its insurance regulatory framework in line with International Association of Insurance Supervisors standards, finalized its regulatory framework for virtual asset staking, and completed enhancements to its anti-money laundering framework reflecting evolving federal legislation and FATF recommendations.
FSRA signs cross-border cooperation agreements
The FSRA signed memoranda of understanding with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), Shenzhen's Futian district and the Central Bank of Brazil. ADGM also expanded its footprint in China, India and Singapore, formed a strategic partnership with Futian district, and engaged with Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners and Man Group at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in the United States.