How the UAE has emerged as a ‘leading light’ for tokenization
Coinbase's decision to base its global tokenization hub in Abu Dhabi is the latest sign that the emirate's bet on regulated digital assets is paying off—with $500 billion in GCC assets predicted to move onto blockchain by 2030.
Abu Dhabi has emerged as a leading hub for digital assets, thanks to the establishment of Coinbase's international tokenization hub in the emirate. Coinbase, a leading crypto exchange, has been granted a license to arrange investment deals and provide custody for tokenized securities by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Tokenization has gained traction across traditional finance, with major asset managers and banks integrating funds, bonds, private credit, and equities onto blockchain infrastructure.
In 2018, ADGM introduced one of the world's first comprehensive virtual asset regulatory frameworks, attracting numerous crypto and tokenization firms to the region. In December 2025, ADGM granted Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, a license to operate from the financial center. Over 20 firms now hold active virtual asset licenses in ADGM, with Coinbase's move signaling confidence in the UAE's regulatory depth for global issuance.
Adam Popat, CEO of SettleMint, a company helping regulated institutions manage digital assets, stated that the UAE is a leading light in tokenization globally. The confluence of factors in the region, including ambitious national-scale digitization programs, deep capital pools, and a collaborative regulatory environment, are driving the adoption of digital asset technology.
SettleMint is currently in talks with large UAE banks exploring tokenization of equities, funds, bonds, and deposits, as well as discussions with several partners regarding gold tokenization.
ADI Foundation, an Abu Dhabi-based organization building blockchain infrastructure, aims to bring one billion people into the digital economy by 2030. The foundation has partnered with SettleMint to develop a digital asset lifestyle infrastructure on ADI Chain, supporting the tokenization of securities under ADGM's regulatory framework. In July, ADI Chain secured a $50 million strategic investment, supporting its international expansion across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
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