⦿ Executive Snapshot

• What: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) welcomes Morgan Stanley as its first international Remote Trading Member.
• Who: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), Morgan Stanley.
• Why it matters: This partnership enhances Abu Dhabi's global connectivity and institutional market depth, catering to rising international demand for access to UAE capital markets.

⦿ Key Developments

• Morgan Stanley will access ADX directly through its global trading platform, improving execution quality and order routing.
• ADX reported trading values exceeding AED 85 billion in Q1 2026, a 22% year-on-year increase.
• Foreign investment in ADX rose by 14%, and institutional trading increased by 10% throughout 2025.
• Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, CEO of ADX, emphasized the exchange's ambition to become a leading global financial marketplace.
• Morgan Stanley expects to begin trading as a remote member in the coming weeks, pending operational readiness.

⦿ Strategic Context

• The introduction of remote membership is a strategic response to the increasing international interest in the UAE capital markets.
• This initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi's long-term economic agenda aimed at creating a sustainable and globally integrated economy.

⦿ Strategic Implications

• The immediate implication is enhanced access for international investors, which may increase liquidity and trading volumes on the ADX.
• Long-term, this could position ADX as a significant player in the global financial markets, attracting more institutional investment.

⦿ Risks & Constraints

• Potential risks include regulatory hurdles or operational challenges in implementing the remote trading structure.
• Competition from other global exchanges may impact ADX's ability to attract and retain foreign investment.

⦿ Watchlist / Forward Signals

• Upcoming milestones include Morgan Stanley's operational readiness and the commencement of trading as a remote member.
• Monitoring the impact of this partnership on trading volumes and foreign investment in the ADX will be crucial for assessing success.