- First DLT-based digitally native bond to be listed in the MENA region
- Issued by FAB and to be listed on ADX and made available on HSBC Orion platform
- Designed to ensure compatibility with global settlement infrastructure
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced it’s at the pricing stage of listing the first distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based bond in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region using HSBC’s digital assets platform, Orion, and issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
The digital bond was designed for compatibility with global settlement infrastructure and integrates digital technology with existing post-trade infrastructure, bridging traditional markets with next-generation issuance models and supporting institutional access. Global investors can access the digital bond through accounts held with Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) in Hong Kong, Euroclear and Clearstream, onboarding to Orion as direct participants, or via their existing custodian.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group chief executive officer of ADX, said in a statement: “This initiative not only expands access to institutional-grade digital instruments, but also lays the foundation for a broader class of tokenized assets—including green bonds, sukuk, and real estate-linked products.”
Lars Kramer, Group chief financial officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), said in a statement: “This bond issuance accelerates the development of a robust digital capital markets ecosystem in the UAE.”
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, chief executive officer for the UAE at HSBC Bank Middle East, said in a statement: “The successful launch of MENA’s first digital bond on ADX using HSBC Orion shows how we are transforming the promise of tokenization into reality for our region. By combining our global experience with trusted local partners, ADX and FAB, we’re helping bolster the region’s capital markets – making them more transparent, efficient and accessible to investors.”