Plume Network, a modular Layer 2 blockchain dedicated to real-world assets (RWAs), has received a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority, paving the way for expansion into the Middle East.
The license allows Plume to scale RWA origination and distribution across the Middle East, Africa and emerging markets, pending further approvals in the ADGM, the UAE’s leading international financial hub known for its progressive fintech and digital asset regulations.
This would help Plume, one of the leading blockchains by the number of RWA holders, to establish a foothold in the region, attracting global banks, fintech companies and asset managers, including BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and crypto firms such as QCP.
Abu Dhabi is also host to major sovereign wealth funds such as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA, the world’s largest with over US$1 trillion) and Mubadala Investment Company.
“The UAE and the wider Middle East are quickly becoming global leaders in real asset tokenization,” said Chris Yin, co-founder and CEO of Plume, in the press release shared with CoinDesk.
“The region’s progressive regulatory framework, institutional openness to digital finance, and ambition to diversify beyond traditional commodities make it an ideal environment for innovation. At Plume, we see the Middle East not only as a market, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of compatible real-world tokenization,” added Yin.
The move builds on Plume’s US momentum, including a recent US SEC transfer agent license for tokenized securities issuance and management.
The latest ADGM approval is a general commercial license and does not allow participation in regulated activities such as token issuance or custody. However, the firm is exploring partnership plans with local institutions and its own authorization of tokenization services.
A permanent Abu Dhabi office is planned by the end of the year, with commercial announcements targeted for early 2026, along with local hires and ties with regional banks and fintechs.
Plume’s geographic focus spans the US, Asia and the Middle East, leveraging pro-RWA regimes in UAE free zones such as ADGM.
