The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has taken another step in strengthening its market infrastructure with the addition of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) as a General Clearing Member (GCM), expanding its post-trade capabilities and institutional access.
FAB’s appointment, approved by the UAE Capital Markets Authority and Abu Dhabi Clear (AD Clear), allows the bank to provide clearing services across securities listed on ADX. The move adds to a growing network of clearing members aimed at aligning the exchange’s infrastructure with global standards.
General Clearing Members play a central role in modern market structure, enabling brokers and institutional investors to outsource clearing functions while improving capital efficiency and operational flexibility. For ADX, the expansion of its GCM network is part of a broader strategy to deepen liquidity and attract international participation.
The development comes amid rising institutional activity on the exchange. ADX reported that institutional trading values increased by 10% year-on-year, while foreign trading rose nearly 13%, underscoring growing global engagement with UAE capital markets.
Post-trade infrastructure has become an increasingly important focus. Abu Dhabi Clear cleared approximately AED 400 billion in transactions in 2025 and currently administers more than AED 7 billion in collateral, reflecting the scale of activity supported by the clearing framework.
The addition of FAB, the UAE’s largest bank by assets, further strengthens this ecosystem, particularly in areas such as risk management, settlement efficiency, and access for institutional clients.
The move reinforces ADX’s positioning as a regionally significant exchange with an increasingly sophisticated infrastructure, as it continues to build out its trading, clearing, and custody capabilities to support cross-border capital flows and long-term market development.
