The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market unveils a package of amendments and proposals aimed at enhancing oversight, attracting fund managers, and aligning with international standards as the jurisdiction experiences significant asset growth.
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) used the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week to set out recent and proposed changes to its funds regulatory framework, saying the measures will both strengthen oversight and preserve the jurisdiction’s appeal to fund managers.
According to the original report, ADGM’s fund and asset management sector recorded robust expansion in 2025, with a 48% year‑on‑year rise in assets under management (AUM) and 161 fund and asset managers overseeing 220 funds. The FSRA said those figures underline ADGM’s growing global relevance and informed a package of rule‑book amendments and a wider consultation on further reforms. The consultation is open for feedback until 30 January 2026.
The FSRA has implemented a new periodic reporting requirement for funds, designed to be proportionate to fund type and to bring the regime more closely into line with international standards. Industry commentary on the changes describes specified reporting cycles: quarterly reporting for public funds and open‑ended exempt funds, and semi‑annual reporting for closed‑ended exempt funds, qualified investor funds and foreign funds , changes the regulator says will improve transparency and its ability to identify emerging trends and risks.
In parallel, the FSRA published a Consultation Paper proposing several material enhancements to its funds framework. Key proposals include:
- the creation of an Institutional Fund Manager category, a streamlined regime for managers of funds that exclusively target institutional investors, with the CP seeking views on extending the approach to asset managers of institutional funds;
- a tailored, lighter‑touch framework for smaller fund managers managing US$200 million or less, building on the FSRA’s existing Venture Capital Fund Manager model;
- measures to facilitate employee investment vehicles, enabling employee participation in private funds; and
- revisions to the framework for foreign fund managers aimed at strengthening investor safeguards.
Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of the ADGM FSRA, said during Abu Dhabi Finance Week: “The recent enhancements and our proposals going forward aim to not only further align our regulatory framework with international peers but also reflect a more proportionate approach based on the nature of our fund management ecosystem. Since ADGM’s inception in 2015, the jurisdiction has established itself as a significant international hub for Fund Managers, with over 161 Fund Managers now established here, managing over 220 Funds. These changes aim to ensure that ADGM remains a preferred jurisdiction for Fund Managers seeking to operate within a well‑regulated, yet progressive, environment.”
The FSRA framed the Institutional Fund Manager proposal as recognising Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be the “Capital of Capital” and as a means of encouraging managers who serve only institutional clients to locate or establish vehicles within ADGM under a simplified supervision model. The authority said the changes are intended to be proportionate and evidence‑based.
The enhancements sit alongside other regulatory modernisation across ADGM. The financial centre has recently revised its digital assets framework to shorten approval times for token listings, introduce capital requirements and fees for authorised persons conducting regulated virtual asset activities, and to refine product intervention powers , steps designed to attract institutional participation in digital assets while imposing safeguards on certain token types.
There are, however, different snapshots of ADGM’s growth. Government figures and independent reporting show continued rapid expansion in 2025 but with slightly varying metrics: a Reuters analysis published in September recorded a 42% increase in active companies in the first half of 2025 and cited 154 fund and asset managers operating 209 funds as of 30 June. The FSRA’s 48% AUM growth and 161 managers/220 funds totals reflect its own end‑of‑period accounting and the figures cited in the regulator’s announcement.
The consultation on the proposed funds framework changes closes on 30 January 2026, with a further consultation on additional enhancements planned for later in 2026. The FSRA said the periodic reporting regime and the proposals in the Consultation Paper are intended to support ADGM’s objective of remaining a competitive, well‑regulated hub for fund management in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region while ensuring key risks are appropriately mitigated.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/fsra-showcases-enhancements-to-its-funds-regulatory-framework-at-adfw-gt8jzzj8 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/fsra-showcases-enhancements-to-its-funds-regulatory-framework-at-adfw – The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) highlighted significant growth in its fund and asset management sector during the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week. In 2025, the sector experienced a 48% year-on-year increase in Assets under Management (AUM), with 161 fund and asset managers overseeing 220 funds. To reinforce ADGM’s position as a premier international hub, the FSRA introduced enhancements to its regulatory framework, including a new periodic reporting requirement for funds and the publication of a Consultation Paper proposing measures such as streamlining regulatory requirements for smaller fund managers and creating a new category for institutional fund managers. The consultation is open for feedback until 30 January 2026. ([adgm.com](https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/fsra-showcases-enhancements-to-its-funds-regulatory-framework-at-adfw?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/adgm-fsra-proposes-enhancements-to-its-funds-framework – The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has proposed enhancements to its funds regulatory framework to further align with international standards and best practices. These proposals include the introduction of a new category of fund manager—Institutional Fund Managers—offering a streamlined regulatory framework for those managing funds exclusively targeting institutional investors. The consultation is open for feedback until 30 January 2026. ([adgm.com](https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/adgm-fsra-proposes-enhancements-to-its-funds-framework?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.claritysolutions.ae/adgm-fsra-introduces-new-regulatory-reporting-regime-for-funds/ – The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has introduced amendments to its Funds Rulebook, establishing enhanced reporting obligations for funds operating under its jurisdiction. The amendments specify reporting cycles for different fund types, including quarterly reporting for public funds and open-ended exempt funds, and semi-annual reporting for closed-ended exempt, qualified investor, and foreign funds. These changes aim to improve transparency and regulatory oversight within the sector. ([claritysolutions.ae](https://www.claritysolutions.ae/adgm-fsra-introduces-new-regulatory-reporting-regime-for-funds/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2025/06/11/adgm-crypto-rules/ – Abu Dhabi’s financial hub, ADGM, has amended its regulatory framework for digital assets to reduce approval times for tokens and attract more institutional players. The changes streamline the process for accepting virtual assets (VAs) for use in the financial hub and impose appropriate capital requirements and fees for authorised persons conducting regulated VA activities. These amendments aim to position ADGM as a global hub for digital assets. ([thenationalnews.com](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2025/06/11/adgm-crypto-rules/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/adgm-fsra-implements-amendments-to-its-2681944/ – The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has implemented amendments to its regulatory framework for digital assets, effective immediately. These changes revise the process for approving Virtual Assets (VAs) as Accepted Virtual Assets (AVAs) within ADGM and introduce appropriate capital requirements and fees for authorised persons conducting regulated VA activities. The amendments also grant the FSRA specific product intervention powers related to VAs and reinforce the prohibition of privacy tokens and algorithmic stablecoins within ADGM. ([jdsupra.com](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/adgm-fsra-implements-amendments-to-its-2681944/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabis-financial-hub-reports-42-surge-active-companies-2025-09-08/ – Abu Dhabi’s financial hub, ADGM, reported a 42% year-on-year increase in active companies in the first half of 2025, reaching a total of 2,972 firms as of June 30. This growth reflects heightened global interest in establishing a presence in the Gulf, driven by proximity to Abu Dhabi’s influential sovereign wealth funds, which collectively manage nearly $2 trillion. Assets under management at ADGM also rose 42%, with 154 fund and asset managers operating 209 funds. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabis-financial-hub-reports-42-surge-active-companies-2025-09-08/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 9 December 2025, and aligns with the FSRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance its funds regulatory framework. The consultation period for feedback on proposed changes is open until 30 January 2026, indicating the information is current. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No earlier versions of this narrative were found, and no similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material does not appear to affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of the ADGM FSRA, appears to be original and exclusive, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were identified, suggesting the quote is unique to this narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a reputable organisation. The FSRA is a well-established regulatory body with a public presence and a legitimate website, enhancing the credibility of the information. However, the narrative was published on Zawya, a news platform that aggregates content from various sources. While Zawya is generally reliable, its role as an aggregator means the original source is the FSRA’s press release.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with the FSRA’s known activities and objectives. The reported 48% year-on-year increase in Assets under Management (AUM) and the establishment of 161 fund and asset managers overseeing 220 funds are credible figures. The proposed regulatory enhancements, including the creation of an Institutional Fund Manager category and a tailored framework for smaller fund managers, align with the FSRA’s previous initiatives to strengthen the fund management sector. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a minor concern. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from the FSRA. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim was noted. The tone is formal and appropriate for a regulatory announcement.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, originating from a reputable source—the FSRA of ADGM—and presents plausible claims consistent with the FSRA’s known activities. The direct quote appears to be original and exclusive. While the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a minor concern, the overall credibility of the narrative is high.