Plume Secures ADGM Commercial License, Sets Sights on Middle East RWA Expansion

Plume Network has secured a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), marking a major step in the blockchain firm’s expansion into the Middle East and other high-growth regions.

The approval, granted by ADGM’s Registration Authority, allows Plume to broaden its real-world asset (RWA) origination and distribution efforts across the Middle East, Africa, and select emerging markets, subject to additional regulatory clearances.

ADGM, known for its forward-leaning stance on digital assets and fintech, has become a magnet for global financial institutions and crypto firms seeking a stable regulatory base in the region.

The move positions Plume, already one of the largest blockchain platforms by RWA user base, to deepen its presence in a market that has been rapidly attracting heavyweight players such as BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, QCP, and others.

Abu Dhabi is also home to some of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds, including ADIA and Mubadala, adding to the emirate’s pull for capital-markets innovation.

“The UAE and the wider Middle East are emerging as global leaders in the tokenization of real-world assets,” said Plume co-founder and CEO Chris Yin in a statement. He highlighted the region’s supportive regulatory environment and appetite for digital finance as key drivers behind the company’s push. “For us, the Middle East is more than an expansion target, it’s a strategic collaborator in building the future of compliant RWA infrastructure.”

Plume’s entry into the UAE follows momentum in the United States, where the company recently obtained a U.S. SEC transfer-agent license, enabling it to handle issuance and management of tokenized securities.

The newly granted ADGM license is a general commercial authorization, meaning it does not yet permit activities such as token issuance or custody under ADGM’s regulated framework. Plume said it is already in discussions with local institutions and is evaluating additional authorizations to support tokenization services in the region.

The company plans to open a permanent office in Abu Dhabi before the end of the year, with its first wave of commercial announcements expected in early 2026.

Hiring and regional partnerships with banks and fintech firms are also underway as Plume sharpens its focus on RWA-friendly jurisdictions spanning the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East.