Coinbase launches tokenization operations in Abu Dhabi, expanding its Middle East footprint

Coinbase has opened an international tokenization hub in Abu Dhabi, licensed to arrange investment deals and provide custody for tokenized securities. The exchange will allow investors to hold these assets in digital wallets, bypassing traditional brokerage accounts. This development underscores Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

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Coinbase's new Abu Dhabi hub operates under the Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace's regulatory framework, which was among the first globally for virtual assets when introduced in 2018. The license permits the exchange to arrange investment deals and provide custody for tokenized securities backed by real shares, with investors holding them directly in digital wallets rather than traditional brokerage accounts. This eliminates correspondent banking relationships for these assets.

The move builds on Coinbase's existing UAE presence, including Project Diamond in Abu Dhabi for institutional digital debt and a