Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (Abu Dhabi)
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) on Monday announced the launch of “the New ADX Group” market infrastructure along with two new subsidiaries, Abu Dhabi Clear (AD Clear) LLC and Abu Dhabi Central Securities Depository (AD CSD) LLC.
“With the launch of ADX Group, we are not just building a financial marketplace; we are shaping the future of investment in Abu Dhabi and contributing to long-term economic development of the UAE and in the region,” said Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the ADX Group.
“More regional and global investors will benefit from seamless access to the ADX platform to unlock opportunities for expansion in the emirate’s thriving sectors and industries. The ADX Group will continue to innovate to ensure a robust and reliable international marketplace to raise capital, facilitate greater investment flow, and uphold financial resilience and stability.”
A New Era for ADX’s Market Infrastructure
In an interview with Aletihad, Abdulla Salem Alnaumi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX, explained that the enhanced market infrastructure of the ADX Group brings significant upgrades across four critical elements: legal framework, exchange structure, trading platform systems, and business model.
Alnaumi added that the new trading capabilities align seamlessly with Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision and strengthen ADX’s trajectory towards becoming a fully developed market.
The infrastructure upgrades, including an advanced trading engine, back-office operations, and improved connectivity, establish a foundation for the new economy and future growth, he noted.
The new infrastructure is also set to pave the way for an array of new financial products. “We are not just focusing on trading; we are introducing new instruments and optimising the mechanics of clearing and settlement. This will enhance market efficiency, increase speed of information access, and improve connectivity for investors,” Alnaumi said.
ADX Enhances Technology to Strengthen Capital Market
Alnuaimi noted that the ADX Group has taken a leading role in leveraging new technology to expand and strengthen Abu Dhabi's investment landscape.
“Our enhanced trading system aims to increase resilience and performance by 400%, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global financial hub,” he said.
At the core of this transformation is a strategic technology partnership with Nasdaq, which has delivered a Core Platform Upgrade (CPU) that enhances trading, clearing, and post-trade services.
The CPU modernises the trading infrastructure, integrating multiple asset classes — including equities, ETFs, debt instruments, and derivatives — into a single, high-performance platform.
Other key features include optimisation for high-frequency trading, improved liquidity, and the introduction of new order types and negotiated deal features, allowing for more sophisticated trading strategies.
“Capital markets are already an integral part of the global economy, but by modernising the infrastructure that powers it we can remove barriers to wider participation and help local and national economies thrive,” said Magnus Haglind, SVP and Head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq in a statement.
“By leveraging Nasdaq’s integrated trading, clearing and settlement platform, ADX will be underpinned by world-leading technology, capable of attracting global sources of liquidity and accelerating the region’s exciting growth story,” he added.
Further digital enhancements include the adoption of ISO 20022 messaging protocols for improved transaction processing and data transparency.
Additionally, ADX has launched a new corporate website, a mobile app, and an upgraded customer-management system to empower investors with real-time market data and portfolio management tools.
New Post-Trade Businesses: AD Clear and AD CSD
A key aspect of ADX’s transformation is the establishment of the ADX Group’s Post Trade Division, comprising AD Clear and AD CSD. These two wholly owned subsidiaries will play a crucial role in enhancing market efficiency, facilitating capital flow, and reducing risks.
AD Clear, the new Central Counterparty Clearinghouse, is designed to improve clearing and settlement efficiency, mitigate counterparty risk, and ensure compliance with global standards.
AD CSD, the regional central securities depository, enhances capital market resilience by safekeeping securities, settling trades, transferring shares, and managing corporate actions.
