Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Launches MENA’s First Digital Bond

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has made history by listing the Middle East and North Africa's first blockchain-based bond. The digital bond, issued in collaboration with HSBC and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), leverages distributed ledger technology for settlement via HSBC’s Orion platform while maintaining compatibility with traditional post-trade systems like Euroclear and Clearstream.

The bond entered its pricing phase on July 3 and will trade alongside conventional fixed-income products on ADX. This milestone aligns with the UAE’s aggressive push into fintech innovation and real-world asset tokenization. Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADX, called the issuance "a defining moment in our journey to transform capital markets through innovation."

By recording ownership and settlement directly on blockchain, the instrument reduces counterparty risk and accelerates clearing times. Global investors can access the bond through HSBC Orion or their existing custodians, marking Abu Dhabi’s entry into the league of progressive financial markets like Hong Kong and Singapore that have embraced tokenized debt offerings.

Market analysts highlight the advantages of digital bonds—faster settlement cycles, expanded investor access, and operational efficiencies. ADX’s MOVE signals growing institutional recognition of blockchain’s potential to modernize legacy capital market infrastructure.