UAE's early digital asset regulation lures Coinbase's international tokenization base
Coinbase has chosen Abu Dhabi as the site for its international tokenization hub, operating under the emirate's financial center ADGM. The UAE's early adoption of virtual asset regulations has attracted numerous crypto firms, with over 20 licenses now active. Industry forecasts suggest nearly $500 billion in Gulf assets could be tokenized on blockchain by 2030.
ADGM's regulatory framework, established in 2018, was among the first comprehensive virtual asset regimes globally, and has since attracted over 20 firms holding active licenses. Binance, the largest exchange by trading volume, secured its ADGM license in December, with June 2026 data showing $4.74 trillion in trading volume—nearly 40% of the market tracked across 11 exchanges.
SettleMint's CEO Adam Popat, who relocated from London, notes the company is in discussions with major UAE banks on tokenizing equities, funds, bonds, and deposits, with gold tokenization also under active exploration. The firm recently partnered with ADI Foundation to build digital asset infrastructure supporting securities tokenization under ADGM rules, addressing the need for coordinated regulated infrastructure.
This development could reshape how Gulf-region assets are managed and traded, potentially unlocking liquidity in traditionally illiquid holdings like real estate and private equity. Institutional investors may gain new access to tokenized securities with regulatory clarity, while retail participants could eventually see broader investment options. However, the concentration of digital asset activity in one jurisdiction may also raise questions about regulatory arbitrage and cross-border consistency, affecting how global financial oversight evolves in response.