Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of the first blockchain bond in the MENA region, representing a new opportunity for investors and capital markets.
Bank and Exchange Collaboration
The bond issuance was executed through a collaboration between First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), HSBC, and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), with the bond now officially listed on ADX.
Technology and Issuance Structure
The issuance was executed using HSBC’s Orion blockchain platform, with FAB serving as the issuer and HSBC acting as global coordinator and lead bookrunner. This structure allows international investors to access the bond through both modern and traditional settlement systems, such as Euroclear and Clearstream, or directly via Orion.
Future of Digital Finance in the Region
ADX CEO Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi highlighted that the exchange is building long-term capabilities to support a shift toward digital finance, positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation financial instruments. This launch could serve as a prototype for a wider range of digital offerings in the region, signaling the start of significant changes in MENA’s capital markets.
The launch of the blockchain bond reflects the region's commitment to innovation in finance and could change the standard approaches to debt issuance in the market.
