Image credit: WAM/Website
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) showcased impressive performance across its key metrics during the first half of 2025, indicating a strong beginning to the year and reflecting an increased confidence among investors in the market.
According to official statistics from ADX, foreign net investments soared by 99.5% year-on-year, reaching Dhs13.6 billion in the first half of 2025, compared to Dhs6.84 billion in the equivalent period of 2024.
The overall trading value also demonstrated a significant boost, climbing by 33.5% from Dhs134.4 billion to approximately Dhs179.5 billion, as reported by WAM.
The average daily trading value saw a 31.4% increase, rising from Dhs1.1 billion to around Dhs1.45 billion, indicating a rise in trading activity and liquidity.
ADX, HSBC, and FAB Introduce the Region’s First Digital Bond
On July 3, 2025, ADX announced the initiation of the pricing phase for the first blockchain-based digital bond in the MENA region, marking a landmark development in the financial landscape. This bond, issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and administered through HSBC Orion, a prominent digital asset issuance platform, signifies a crucial advancement in digital finance.
The bond listing exemplifies a strategic partnership among ADX, FAB, and HSBC, merging local market expertise with global knowledge in digital issuance. HSBC Orion, managed by the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) in Hong Kong, serves as the foundational digital infrastructure. The transaction also involved contributions from international legal firms, ensuring adherence to robust governance standards.
Leading the Charge in Tokenized Finance
ADX highlighted that the listing of the digital bond is a vital component of its wider strategy to broaden its array of innovative financial offerings and establish itself as a frontrunner in the realm of tokenized finance.
Digital bonds—debt instruments recorded and issued on blockchain technology—provide various operational advantages. These encompass expedited settlement cycles, greater transparency, improved security, and diminished counterparty risk for institutional investors.
The bond is available to global investors through accounts with CMU, Euroclear, and Clearstream, and can also be accessed by onboarding to HSBC Orion or through existing custodial arrangements linked with one of the participating institutions.
Industry Leaders Stress the Importance of Innovation
HSBC played a pivotal role as the sole global coordinator, lead manager, and bookrunner of the transaction. The bank’s expertise in blockchain-based issuance was crucial in facilitating the introduction of this technology to the MENA area.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group CEO of ADX, remarked, “The successful introduction of MENA’s first blockchain-based digital bond, developed in close partnership with FAB and HSBC, marks a significant milestone in our efforts to innovate capital markets.”
Lars Kramer, Group CFO of FAB, stated, “In collaboration with ADX and HSBC, we are establishing new standards in efficiency, transparency, and security, aligning with the progressive regulatory framework of the UAE.”
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO of UAE for HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, noted, “The launch of MENA’s first digital bond on ADX through HSBC Orion illustrates how we are making the potential of tokenization a reality for our region.”
Designed to integrate seamlessly with global post-trade systems, the digital bond connects traditional financial mechanisms with emerging blockchain models, fostering broader institutional engagement and participation.