Abu Dhabi Trio Targets Global Lead in Regulated Digital Assets

ABU DHABI, UAE – January 12, 2026 – A landmark partnership announced today aims to cement Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in regulated digital finance. The ADI Foundation, Finstreet Limited, and Web3 venture studio BlockBooster have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a comprehensive ecosystem for tokenized real-world assets and a UAE Dirham-backed stablecoin.

The collaboration represents a significant step away from the speculative fervor of early cryptocurrencies and toward a future where blockchain technology is embedded into the core of the traditional financial system. By combining sovereign-grade infrastructure, a fully regulated market framework, and specialized market-building expertise, the alliance plans to move institutional-grade digital assets from concept to execution.

Forging a Financial Future on a Regulated Bedrock

At the heart of this initiative is Abu Dhabi's strategic effort to become a premier global hub for digital asset innovation. The emirate has cultivated this ambition through the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial free zone with one of the world's most comprehensive and forward-thinking regulatory frameworks for digital assets, overseen by its Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

Unlike jurisdictions that have taken a more cautious or ambiguous stance, the ADGM has established clear rules of the road since 2018. Its framework explicitly defines and regulates different classes of digital assets, from "Digital Securities" to "Fiat-Referenced Tokens" (FRTs), or stablecoins. Any token that functions like a traditional security is treated as such, ensuring investor protection standards are upheld while accommodating the novelties of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).

This regulatory clarity is a powerful magnet for institutional players. The FSRA's rigorous requirements for capital adequacy, governance, and technology security, which mirror those in traditional finance, provide a level of trust that is often absent in the wider crypto market. Furthermore, the ADGM has proactively banned volatile algorithmic stablecoins and privacy-enhancing tokens, signaling a clear preference for transparency and stability. This robust foundation is precisely where Finstreet Limited, a subsidiary of the massive International Holding Company (IHC), operates. With licensed subsidiaries for operating a trading facility, a digital settlement system, and providing investment advisory, Finstreet provides the crucial, regulated on-ramps and market venues necessary for these new tokenized products to thrive.

From Speculation to Utility: Tokenizing the Real World

The partnership's focus is squarely on utility and real-world value. The MoU outlines three priority areas that highlight a profound shift in the application of blockchain technology: a UAE Dirham-backed stablecoin, institutional-grade tokenized assets, and broad ecosystem development. This is not about creating the next speculative meme coin; it's about making financial markets more efficient, accessible, and transparent.

The exploration of a Dirham-backed stablecoin is particularly significant. Stablecoins are seen as a critical bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and the digital asset economy, facilitating seamless payments and settlement. The UAE's digital asset market, which saw over $30 billion in inflows last year, is ripe for a regulated, local-currency stablecoin. This initiative joins a competitive but burgeoning field, with the UAE Central Bank itself developing a "Digital Dirham" and other commercial banks launching their own regulated stablecoins. The goal is to create a reliable digital representation of the Dirham that can be used for everything from trade finance to on-chain treasury management.

Equally important is the plan to source, structure, and tokenize private assets like credit, equity, and technology-related investments. Tokenization—the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain—promises to unlock liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets. By creating fractional ownership and enabling near-instant settlement, this alliance could open up private market opportunities to a wider range of institutional investors, lowering barriers to entry and increasing market efficiency. This move directly addresses the growing institutional appetite in the UAE, where large-scale digital asset transfers have surged by over 55% year-on-year.

A Trifecta of Expertise: Infrastructure, Rules, and Growth

The success of such an ambitious venture hinges on the complementary strengths of its partners, creating a powerful synergy designed for execution. Each member brings a critical piece of the puzzle.

The ADI Foundation, backed by Sirius International Holding, the technology arm of the $240B+ IHC, provides the technological backbone. Its "sovereign-grade" blockchain is not just another public ledger; it's a modular, Ethereum-compatible network designed for institutional and governmental use. Its architecture features a unique Layer 3 compliance framework, allowing for localized regulatory rules to be embedded directly into the infrastructure without sacrificing scalability. This, combined with advanced zero-knowledge proof technology for privacy and security, creates the trusted and adaptable rails upon which a regulated financial system can be built.

Finstreet Limited brings the indispensable regulatory legitimacy. As an ADGM-domiciled entity with licenses to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF), a Digital Settlement Facility, and an investment advisory firm, Finstreet provides the compliant environment for these digital assets to be legally issued, traded, and settled. It acts as the gatekeeper, ensuring that all activities adhere to the strict standards set by the FSRA, thereby building the trust necessary to attract conservative institutional capital.

Finally, BlockBooster, a Web3 venture studio specializing in stablecoins and Real-World Assets (RWAs), serves as the catalyst for growth. While ADI builds the highway and Finstreet provides the traffic laws, BlockBooster is responsible for getting the right vehicles on the road. Its role focuses on asset onboarding, creating effective go-to-market strategies, and activating the market to ensure there is demand and liquidity for the newly tokenized products. This expertise in ecosystem building is vital for translating technical and regulatory potential into a vibrant, functioning market.

This strategic alignment of infrastructure, regulation, and market activation creates a full-stack solution for institutional digital finance. Ajay Bhatia, Principal Council Member of the ADI Foundation, underscored this vision, stating, "The future of digital finance will not be built on speculation, but on trust, regulated access, and real utility. This partnership... [moves] tokenized assets and stablecoin use cases from concept into execution; embedding blockchain as a functional layer of the real financial system."

Samuel Gu, CEO & Founder of BlockBooster, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative strength. "Building on the ADI Foundation's infrastructure capabilities and Finstreet's regulated market framework, BlockBooster will focus on supporting asset onboarding, market activation and coordinated go–to–market efforts... contributing to Abu Dhabi's position as a hub for institutional–grade digital asset innovation."

While any projects arising from the MoU remain subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, the announcement marks a clear declaration of intent. It signals a mature, institution-focused phase of blockchain adoption, positioning Abu Dhabi not just as a participant, but as a potential architect of the future of global finance.