Plume Network, a modular Layer 2 blockchain focused on real-world assets (RWAs), has obtained a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority, facilitating its growth in the Middle East.
The license enables Plume to expand RWA origination and distribution throughout the Middle East, Africa, and emerging markets, subject to further approvals in ADGM, the UAE’s leading international financial center recognized for its advanced fintech and digital asset regulations.
This development positions Plume, one of the top blockchains by the number of RWA holders, to gain a foothold in a region attracting global banks, fintech companies, and asset managers, including BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, and cryptocurrency firms like QCP.
Abu Dhabi is also home to prominent sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the world’s largest with assets over $1 trillion, and the Mubadala Investment Company.
“The UAE and the broader Middle East are swiftly emerging as global leaders in the tokenization of real-world assets,” stated Chris Yin, co-founder and CEO of Plume, in a press release shared with CoinDesk.
“The region’s progressive regulatory frameworks, openness to digital finance, and drive to diversify beyond traditional commodities create an ideal environment for innovation. At Plume, we view the Middle East not only as a market but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of compliant real-world tokenization,” added Yin.
This move further enhances Plume’s momentum in the U.S., which includes a recent U.S. SEC transfer agent license for the issuance and management of tokenized securities.
The ADGM approval is a general commercial license and does not permit engagement in regulated activities like token issuance or custody. Nonetheless, the company is pursuing partnership opportunities with local entities and aims for its own authorization for tokenization services.
A permanent office in Abu Dhabi is planned by the end of the year, with commercial announcements anticipated for early 2026, alongside local recruitment and connections to regional banks and fintechs.
Plume’s geographic strategy encompasses the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East, leveraging pro-RWA environments found in the UAE’s free zones like ADGM.
