Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is emerging as a magnet for some of the world’s biggest hedge funds, with multiple high-profile firms expected to establish offices in the emirate this year.
Balyasny Asset Management (BAM), a $29 billion hedge fund founded in 2001, has applied to open a presence in ADGM, aiming to launch operations in the first half of 2026.
The firm, which already employs more than 2,300 people across 23 offices worldwide, opened a Dubai office in 2023 at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
At Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, BAM’s Chief Investment Officer Dmitry Balyasny said Abu Dhabi has the right ingredients for long-term growth, including access to capital and talent, commitment to AI and technology, strong infrastructure, and a high quality of life.
Cantor Fitzgerald’s investment banking arm is also making a push into Abu Dhabi.
In December 2025, the firm announced plans to open an office at ADGM, having secured in-principle approval to carry out regulated activities.
“The Middle East is a key growth market for Cantor as we continue to expand our global investment banking and capital markets platform,” said Sage Kelly, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Investment Banking at Cantor.
“The Gulf is one of the most active markets globally for IPOs and capital formation, and we hope to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and deepening of regional capital markets.”
The new office is subject to final regulatory approval, expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Last month, Bloomberg reported that Man Group Plc, the world’s largest publicly-traded hedge fund with $213.9 billion in assets, is preparing to apply for a licence to open an office in Abu Dhabi in 2026.
A spokesperson said the emirate’s strong focus on innovation and AI align with the firm’s business model.
Rokos Capital Management, a $22 billion macro hedge fund founded by Chris Rokos, is also expected to open a new office in early 2026 to tap into the Middle East’s growing investor base and talent pool, according to Bloomberg.
These incoming entrants are taking cues from firms that have already built sizeable operations in the UAE capital.
During ADFW 2025, Billionaire investor Alan Howard, founder of Brevan Howard, said Abu Dhabi can rival London and New York as financial hubs.
He cited the emirate’s strong, pro-business regulation under UK law, strategic time zones for trading, and rapid talent growth as key reasons behind his firm’s expansion to the emirate.
“Three years ago, we set up within three or four months, with 15 people, and now we have 150 people,” Howard said. “We have more money managed here than anywhere else in the world.”
The influx of global hedge funds coincides with a major expansion on Al Maryah Island, home to Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, ADGM.
In December, Mubadala and Aldar’s announced a Dh60 billion project, set to unlock 500,000 sqm of land, delivering 1.5 million sqm of mixed-use space, including 450,000 sqm of Grade-A offices and 3,000 luxury residences along with retail, hospitality and lifestyle amenities.
ADGM, launched in 2013, now hosts over 11,000 active licences and nearly 40,000 professionals, making it one of the fastest-growing financial hubs in the region.
Assets Under Management (AUM) within ADGM realised a year-on-year growth of 48% in Q3, 2025, with 161 asset and fund managers, overseeing 220 funds.
