Galaxy Sets Up Shop in Abu Dhabi as Middle East Crypto Momentum Grows
Why Is Galaxy Moving Into Abu Dhabi?
Galaxy will open a new office and create an ADGM-registered entity in Abu Dhabi, expanding its presence in the Middle East as the region becomes a core market for global digital asset firms. The company announced the step on Wednesday, saying the move strengthens its ability to work with partners, investors and institutions across the area.
Galaxy managing director Bouchra Darwazah said, “The Middle East is a rapidly growing financial hub that is home to some of the world’s most sophisticated investors and innovators. It has become a particularly influential region for our investors, clients, and portfolio companies, and we believe this office will assist establish new opportunities as a leading global and infrastructure firm.”
The new office will fall under the registration authority. ADGM has positioned itself as a regulated environment for crypto trading, custody, stablecoin issuers and investment firms. For Galaxy, the step links the group directly into a financial center that has accelerated licensing and oversight for digital asset operations.
Investor Takeaway
How Does This Fit Into Galaxy’s Broader Growth?
Galaxy reported $505 million in net income in Q3 2025, supported by $3.2 billion in equity. The company has operated across trading, asset management and infrastructure since 2018, building stakes in a long list of projects and funds. One recent example is the group’s plan to join a $1.65 billion Solana treasury fund alongside Cantor Fitzgerald, Multicoin Capital and Jump Crypto.
The new Abu Dhabi entity gives Galaxy a regulated footprint in a region that has become a focal point for large asset managers. With sovereign funds, family offices and regional banks increasing their allocation to digital assets, Abu Dhabi and Dubai now serve as a direct channel for institutional flows that would traditionally move through London or Singapore.
For Galaxy, the decision also follows a year in which the company widened its client relationships outside the United States, driven partly by regulatory delays around certain products in U.S. markets. Abu Dhabi offers a route for growth without uncertainty around licensing timelines.
How Has the UAE Responded to Crypto Firms Entering the Market?
The UAE has cleared a steady stream of global crypto companies to operate under its regulatory frameworks. platforms such as Binance and Bybit have received approvals in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, giving them operational footing in a region where regulators have outlined clear rules for .
Stablecoin issuers have also gained ground. In November, ADGM allowed regulated firms to use Ripple’s Ripple USD (RLUSD). This week, the center recognized Tether’s USDt as an “accepted fiat-referenced token,” while Circle received approval to operate as a financial service provider, paving the way for USDC to be offered under formal oversight.
These steps signal a regional approach that gives both investors and companies predictable conditions. ADGM and Dubai’s VARA have both built licensing programs that cover custody, trading, token issuance and payments, creating a structure that appeals to global operators viewking clarity.
Investor Takeaway
What Comes Next for Galaxy in the Middle East?
With the Abu Dhabi office underway, Galaxy is expected to deepen relationships with institutions across the Gulf — ranging from sovereign funds to trading firms and infrastructure partners. The region’s mix of capital, regulatory clarity and products has made it a competitive destination for international players.
For ADGM, adding Galaxy to its roster builds on a pattern of attracting firms that handle asset management, tokenization, custody, payments and stablecoin operations. The financial center has become one of the few jurisdictions where companies can run large-scale digital asset businesses with clear rules.
Galaxy’s expansion illustrates a broader trend: global digital asset firms are not only opening regional offices but integrating the Middle East into their core operational networks. With high liquidity, , and growing adoption of tokenized systems, Abu Dhabi is shaping itself into a long-term hub for the sector.
