Abu Dhabi Global Market has approved trading in tokenized equity products linked to major U.S. stocks, the first time the emirate has allowed such instruments under its existing securities framework. The decision lets Ondo Finance’s tokenized stocks and ETFs trade on Binance’s regulated Multilateral Trading Facility in Abu Dhabi, giving UAE institutions a compliant route into blockchain-based equity exposure.
FSRA gives first approval for tokenized securities in ADGM
The approval was issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, the regulator within ADGM. In a press release shared with CoinDesk, the FSRA said it had authorized Ondo Global Markets’ tokenized stocks and ETFs for trading on Binance’s regulated venue. It is the first approval of tokenized securities under ADGM’s regulatory framework.
Access remains limited to non-U.S. users under current platform rules. Eligible participants include UAE-based financial institutions, intermediaries, and counterparties that want to trade token versions of publicly listed equities.
Approved lineup includes Amazon, Apple, Tesla and QQQ
The authorized products cover tokenized versions of Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Circle, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and the Invesco QQQ ETF. Each instrument represents an equity-linked note tied to the underlying share rather than direct ownership of the stock itself.
That structure gives regulated market participants exposure to U.S. equities and an ETF through blockchain-based securities wrappers. The first batch centers on heavily traded large-cap technology names and a major index-tracking fund.
Binance secures a regulated venue after earlier European setbacks
For Binance, the approval creates a regulated channel for tokenized stock trading after the exchange shut down a similar service nearly five years ago following scrutiny from regulators in the U.K. and Germany. Ondo’s products had already appeared on Binance Alpha, a platform focused on early-stage offerings. With the ADGM clearance, they can now trade on a regulated venue in Abu Dhabi.
Ian de Bode said the listing broadens access to digital equity products for a wider investor base and places tokenized stocks inside an established regulatory environment. No additional trading details were disclosed in the source material.
Tokenized securities market value tops $1 billion
The tokenized securities segment is still growing. Data from RWA.xyz shows total market value has moved above $1 billion. Other firms and venues, including Kraken, Robinhood, Nasdaq, and the New York Stock Exchange, have also explored comparable products.
Ondo said its offerings have generated more than $11 billion in cumulative trading volume and more than $600 million in total value locked in less than six months since launch. Last year, the company also secured approval for its base securities prospectus across the European Union.