MENA’s First Institutional Layer 2 Gains Backing from BlackRock, Mastercard and Franklin Templeton
Just days later than launching its mainnet, ADI Chain – the Middle East and North Africa region’s first large-scale institutional Layer 2 blockchain – has secured partnerships with BlackRock, Mastercard and Franklin Templeton. The rapid succession of agreements signals strong institutional confidence in compliance-first blockchain infrastructure built specifically for regulated markets.
The partnerships were signed through the ADI Foundation and target distinct but complementary areas of financial infrastructure. Together, they position ADI Chain as a foundational platform for tokenisation, payments and regulated digital asset activity across the Middle East, with (ADGM) playing a central role.
The speed at which three of the world’s most influential financial institutions engaged with the network underscores a clear message from global capital markets: blockchain adoption at scale requires regulatory alignment, institutional-grade architecture and clear governance from day one.
BlackRock, Mastercard and Franklin Templeton Target Core Use Cases
BlackRock signed a memorandum of understanding with the ADI Foundation to explore accelerating blockchain adoption across financial markets and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a . The collaboration focuses on institution-grade tokenised asset structures, enhanced distribution mechanisms and regulatory frameworks that support long-term market growth.
Mastercard’s partnership centres on blockchain-based payments and asset tokenisation across the Middle East. The collaboration aims to bring stablecoin settlement, cross-border payment rails and digital asset infrastructure to the region, with regulatory compliance embedded into the design rather than layered on later thanward.
Franklin Templeton also entered into an MoU with the ADI Foundation to explore within ADGM. The focus includes enabling institutions to launch compliant tokenised products, developing digital rails for settlement and distribution, and conducting research into stablecoins and tokenised assets that align with regulatory requirements.
Building a Compliance-First Blockchain Ecosystem for MENA
ADI Chain’s institutional traction builds on a year-long development effort that prioritised regulatory alignment over raw transaction speed. While many Layer 2 networks compete primarily on fees and throughput, ADI focused on enabling government deployment, institutional participation and integration with national financial systems.
The ecosystem already includes partnerships across more than 20 countries, with over 50 institutional and enterprise projects in the pipeline. Active deployments demonstrate practical use cases, including Near Protocol’s TravAI for onchain travel management, Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre pilots for property registration and shared ownership, and energy-sector initiatives with Esyasoft Holding.
Core infrastructure continues to expand. ADI Chain has been selected to host the UAE dirham-backed stablecoin, to be issued by and IHC under UAE Central Bank regulation. Alongside technical development, the ADI Foundation plans to launch ‘Future Tech 4.0’ with ADGM and leading universities to train more than 10,000 Web3 specialists, reinforcing the region’s long-term digital asset ambitions.
