#UAE
4 articles tagged #UAE — curated RWA tokenization coverage.
Coinbase picks Abu Dhabi for its global tokenized asset push
Coinbase has secured Financial Services Permission from the Abu Dhabi Global Market's (ADGM) Financial Services Regulatory Authority to establish an international hub for tokenized assets. This regulatory approval allows the exchange to arrange investment deals and provide custody for digital securities backed by underlying shares. By operating within the ADGM framework, Coinbase aims to bridge traditional securities with blockchain technology outside of the United States. This expansion builds upon the company's existing UAE footprint, including the Project Diamond initiative on the Base blockchain. The move reflects a broader industry trend where major financial institutions are increasingly leveraging blockchain rails to enable 24/7 trading and near-instant settlement. Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a critical jurisdiction for this sector by offering a specialized regulatory environment for virtual assets. Coinbase intends to use this base to offer institutional investors new ways to utilize tokenized equities as collateral in onchain markets.
Nomura’s Laser Digital backs ZIGChain for onchain private credit push in UAE
Nomura Group’s digital asset arm, Laser Digital, has made a strategic investment in ZIGChain, a UAE-based Layer 1 blockchain, to advance on-chain private credit markets in the Gulf region. While the exact investment amount remains undisclosed, it is estimated to be in the high single-digit millions. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between capital providers and borrowers in the Middle East by democratizing access to private credit through tokenized institutional vault products. ZIGChain, which also collaborates with Standard Chartered and Apex Group, intends to leverage Laser Digital’s institutional-grade risk frameworks to address execution risks in on-chain finance. The initiative specifically targets the creation of Sharia-compliant financial offerings to cater to regional market requirements. By utilizing Dubai as a central hub, the firms seek to lower barriers to entry for investors who previously faced high fees and limited access to private credit opportunities. This move signals Nomura’s continued commitment to the digital asset space despite recent internal risk adjustments and broader market volatility.
Tether Gold Recognition Advances Tokenized Gold in ADGM
On July 20, 2026, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) officially recognized Tether Gold (XAU₮) as an Accepted Spot Commodity, marking a significant milestone for institutional-grade real-world asset tokenization. This regulatory endorsement allows authorized firms within the ADGM to offer services tied to the gold-backed token, which represents a one-to-one claim on physical gold stored in Swiss vaults. By integrating XAU₮ into its Financial Services Regulatory Authority framework, the ADGM provides a clear legal pathway for institutions to utilize blockchain-based gold. This move follows the previous recognition of USD₮, signaling Tether's strategic effort to anchor its product suite within the UAE's premier financial center. The development is analytically significant because it establishes a precedent for how other physical asset-backed tokens might be integrated into regulated frameworks. As global tokenized asset value exceeds $31 billion, this collaboration demonstrates how direct engagement between issuers and regulators can bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital infrastructure. Ultimately, the recognition enhances the credibility of tokenized commodities, positioning Abu Dhabi as a central hub for the practical, regulated adoption of digital assets.
Revolut Obtains Dubai Crypto License While Europe Enforces Stricter MiCA Regulations
Revolut has secured preliminary authorization from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to offer cryptocurrency services, including broker-dealer and asset management functions, within the UAE. This expansion allows the fintech firm to integrate digital asset trading into its consumer application and dedicated Revolut X platform for its 75 million global users. The move represents a strategic push into a jurisdiction known for transparent crypto licensing, complementing the firm's existing payment service license from the Central Bank of the UAE. Simultaneously, the European Union has entered a stricter regulatory era following the conclusion of the MiCA transitional framework on July 1. European authorities, including the European Securities and Markets Authority, are now intensifying oversight and compliance monitoring for all crypto service providers. These parallel developments highlight a global trend where firms seek growth in regulated Middle Eastern markets while navigating increasingly rigorous compliance requirements in Europe. For the RWA market, this shift underscores the necessity of robust regulatory frameworks to facilitate the institutional adoption of tokenized assets. As Revolut scales its infrastructure, its ability to bridge traditional finance with regulated digital assets serves as a bellwether for the broader industry's transition toward standardized, compliant operations.