The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced on November 3, 2026, that UBS Investment Bank has joined as its second international remote trading member, expanding access to UAE-listed securities for global institutional investors.
The arrangement allows UBS clients to access ADX-listed securities through the bank's international trading infrastructure, supporting more efficient execution and settlement coordination.
The development comes as foreign institutions play an increasingly important role in Abu Dhabi's capital markets, with international investors accounting for 47% of gross trading value during the first ten months of 2026, according to ADX.
UBS Follows Morgan Stanley and Virtu in Expanding ADX Connectivity
UBS joins a growing group of international financial institutions establishing stronger connections with Abu Dhabi's exchange.
In May, Morgan Stanley became ADX's first international remote trading member, enabling its international clients to access Abu Dhabi-listed securities through direct market connectivity.
In September, Virtu Financial partnered with ADX to introduce POSIT block-trading indications, supporting institutional investors executing larger equity transactions while seeking to reduce market impact.
Unlike Morgan Stanley and UBS, Virtu's initiative involves institutional block-trading infrastructure rather than remote trading membership.
Together, these developments reflect ADX's efforts to strengthen its international trading network and attract institutional order flow.
International Institutions Drive ADX Trading Activity
Institutional investors accounted for approximately 78% of ADX's total trading value during January–October 2026, while foreign investors represented 47% of gross trading activity.
These figures demonstrate the exchange's substantial institutional participation and growing international investor presence, although they measure trading turnover rather than net foreign investment inflows.
ADX's International Market Connectivity
The appointments complement broader infrastructure developments, including ADX's integration with the SWIFT network, which facilitates standardized financial messaging with international custodians and financial institutions.
For global asset managers, direct connectivity can reduce operational friction, improve trade execution and simplify access to Abu Dhabi-listed securities.
Abu Dhabi Strengthens Its Position in Global Capital Markets
The addition of UBS reinforces ADX's ambition to become a more internationally connected financial marketplace.
Remote trading membership allows established global investment banks to provide clients with access to Abu Dhabi securities through their existing institutional relationships, potentially widening the exchange's investor base.
However, the impact on liquidity and trading volumes will depend on how actively UBS clients use the new arrangements.
With Morgan Stanley, Virtu Financial and UBS strengthening different parts of its international trading infrastructure, ADX is building the connectivity needed to attract deeper institutional participation and support Abu Dhabi's development as a global capital-markets hub.
