The second day of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, hosted by ADGM, featured Asset Abu Dhabi, uniting leading global asset managers and capital allocators to explore emerging investment opportunities and the evolving future of asset allocation.
Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, underscored Abu Dhabi’s expanding role in the global asset management landscape, crediting its strong regulatory framework, innovation-focused ecosystem, and strategic positioning.
He said:
“Asset Abu Dhabi reflects the growing convergence of global capital and innovation, convening the world’s most sophisticated asset managers at a time of profound change in finance. It stands as a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a trusted hub in the reengineering of global capital networks and the future of asset management.”
The program featured sessions on private equity, hedge funds, sovereign wealth, real assets, and digital investments, along with discussions on how technology and sustainability are influencing global economic transformation.
Industry leaders such as Todd Boehly, Robert Smith, Sir Christopher Hohn, and Hussain Sajwani shared insights on how macroeconomic cycles, tech advancements, and geopolitical factors are shaping investment strategies.
Hedge fund experts Aron Landy, Shiv Srinivasan, and Robyn Grew highlighted the growing importance of data, AI, and analytical tools in modern risk management.
A notable session on intergenerational wealth—led by Stefan Bollinger and Chi Man Kwan—examined the estimated US$84 trillion wealth transfer and its potential impact on global markets.
The inaugural NYU Global Financial Centre Competitiveness Index ranked Abu Dhabi 12th worldwide and 1st in the MENA region, citing high scores in regulatory innovation, institutional strength, and business incentives.
The day also hosted the International Family Office Congress and the AIMA Private Credit Summit, bringing together global leaders to discuss trends in family offices, private capital, and the expanding private credit ecosystem.
Key announcements included the launch of Abu Dhabi’s new FinTech, Insurance, Digital, and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster. Circle Internet Group received its Financial Services Permission licence, BBVA secured In-Principle Approval, and 23 new MoUs were signed with partners including Finstreet, Franklin Templeton, Mubadala, Mastercard, and MBank.
ADFW continues over the next two days with Fintech Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum.
