Plume Network, a modular Layer 2 blockchain specialized in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, has obtained a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority.
This approval, announced today, enables Plume to legally originate, distribute, and scale tokenized RWAs—such as real estate, bonds, and commodities—across the Middle East, Africa, and other emerging markets.
The move positions Plume as a key player in one of the world’s most RWA-friendly regulatory environments, where institutions like BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, and sovereign wealth funds via the $1 trillion+ Abu Dhabi Investment Authority are increasingly exploring digital assets.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 19 (Feb 9 – May 2, 2026): big discounts for early bird.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab: From Technical Design to Deployment (next edition begins Jan 24 2026).
ADGM, a UAE-based international financial center, provides a progressive, English common law-based system for digital finance. The license allows Plume to operate compliantly under ADGM’s oversight, focusing on tokenized securities and asset finance.
Plume intends to open a permanent office in Abu Dhabi by the end of 2025, with initial commercial launches and partnerships with regional banks and fintechs slated for early 2026. This includes local hiring to build ties with Middle Eastern institutions.
The UAE’s ambition to diversify beyond oil—through initiatives like free zones and blockchain sandboxes—aligns perfectly with Plume’s RWA focus. As CEO Chris Yin noted, “The Middle East is not just a market, but a strategic partner in shaping compliant real-world tokenization.”
This development comes amid surging interest in RWAs, with Plume already leading by RWA holder count on blockchains. Recent catalysts include a 31% token surge following U.S. SEC transfer agent registration in October 2025 and a Coinbase listing today, which could boost liquidity.
On-chain metrics show a 318% increase in Ethereum transaction volume for Plume over the past week, signaling growing adoption. The Middle East’s RWA ecosystem is booming: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have piloted tokenized real estate and funds, with regulators like the SCA and DFSA providing clear guidelines for fractional ownership and AML compliance.
Dubai has emerged as a global epicenter for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, blending its thriving real estate market, progressive regulations, and strategic position as a financial hub.
By converting physical or traditional assets—like properties, commodities, bonds, and funds—into blockchain-based digital tokens, RWA tokenization enables fractional ownership, 24/7 liquidity, and borderless access.
As of December 2025, the UAE’s on-chain RWA value stands at approximately $17 billion, with Dubai leading the charge through government-backed pilots and a supportive ecosystem. This positions the emirate not just as a market, but as a blueprint for compliant, scalable tokenization worldwide.
Dubai’s regulatory environment is designed to foster growth while ensuring investor protection. In May 2025, VARA updated its Rulebook to classify tokenized RWAs as “Asset-Referenced Virtual Assets” (ARVA), providing end-to-end guidelines for issuance, custody, trading, and secondary markets. This framework emphasizes additive benefits like transparency and efficiency, with real estate as a priority sector.
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA): Operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the DFSA approved the region’s first tokenized money market fund in July 2025—the QCD Money Market Fund by Qatar National Bank and DMZ Finance—targeting institutional applications and projecting global RWA growth to $18.9 trillion by 2033.
Dubai Land Department (DLD): Collaborating with VARA, the Dubai Future Foundation, and the Central Bank of the UAE, DLD launched a pilot real estate tokenization platform in May 2025 via Prypco Mint. It uses the XRP Ledger to digitize property deeds, enabling fractional shares starting at AED 2,000 (~$545) for UAE ID holders, with global expansion planned.
These initiatives align with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, aiming to double the economy by 2033 through digital finance, and have attracted institutions like BlackRock and sovereign funds. A tokenized apartment in Dubai sold out in under 2 minutes in June 2025, drawing 149 investors from 35 countries. Platforms like OneAsset and Fasset are tokenizing warehouses and skyscrapers, unlocking cross-border access.
Beyond property, tokenized bonds and commodities are rising, with RWA Labs providing full-stack infrastructure for SMEs and institutions. Events like Blockchain Life 2025 and the RWA Summit highlighted over $32 billion in global tokenized assets, with Dubai pilots showcasing Arbitrum and VeChain integrations.
Unlike the 2019 security token hype, Dubai’s clear rules prevent liquidity pitfalls, with platforms like DigiShares offering white-label solutions. Experts forecast Dubai leading Middle Eastern RWA growth, with initiatives like World Liberty Financial’s 2026 launches.
Dubai’s momentum is accelerating—evidenced by recent forums like DAOS Connect’s RWA Strategy Session and Binance’s full ADGM licensing. With events like the World Token Summit in June 2026 on the horizon, expect more partnerships in CBDCs, DeFi, and AI-blockchain hybrids.
For builders, VARA’s framework makes launching straightforward: structure legally, secure licensing, and leverage free zones like DIFC. Dubai isn’t just tokenizing assets—it’s redefining finance. Stay tuned for pilot expansions and institutional inflows.
Plume’s entry could accelerate this, potentially unlocking billions in tokenized assets from the region’s $3+ trillion in sovereign wealth. This is a bullish step for RWA innovation—watch for partnership announcements soon.