Abu Dhabi has taken a major step toward financial innovation with the launch of its first blockchain-based bond, becoming the first in the Middle East and North Africa to do so.
The milestone was achieved 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.
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. The structure allows international investors to access the bond through both modern and traditional settlement systems, such as Euroclear and Clearstream, or directly via Orion.
Behind the scenes, extensive legal and regulatory groundwork was laid to ensure full global compliance. The product aims to introduce a new standard for debt issuance by merging blockchain efficiency with conventional market infrastructure. The listing offers reduced operational costs, faster settlements, and increased transparency for investors.
Mohamed Al Marzooqi of HSBC UAE highlighted the project’s role in making tokenized assets practical for institutional use, while FAB’s CFO Lars Kramer emphasized its alignment with the UAE’s forward-thinking regulatory approach. Both echoed the sentiment that this bond offers a glimpse into the future of capital markets.
ADX CEO Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi added that the exchange is building long-term capabilities to support a broader shift toward digital finance, positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation financial instruments.
Rather than being a one-off, this launch could serve as a prototype for a wider range of digital offerings in the region, signaling the start of a significant transformation in MENA’s capital markets.
Alexander Zdravkov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alexander Zdravkov is passionate about questions of meaning. He is a fluent German speaker as well as He has been in the crypto space for more than three years and has an eye for spotting emerging trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or reporting on all topics on a daily basis, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does makes him a valuable addition to the team.
Source: https://coindoo.com/abu-dhabi-lists-its-first-blockchain-bond/