The entry of Morgan Stanley as the first international remote trading member on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange signals a clear shift in how global capital is accessing regional markets. By removing the need for a physical trading presence, ADX is lowering barriers for institutional investors while positioning itself as a more globally integrated, technology-driven exchange.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group has announced that Morgan Stanley has joined the exchange as its first international investment bank Remote Trading Member. This landmark agreement allows Morgan Stanley to provide its global clients with direct market access to ADX-listed securities, with trading executed through the firm’s own global platform. The move is designed to meet rising international institutional demand for exposure to UAE markets while enhancing execution quality and control over order routing across the trade lifecycle.
The inclusion of Morgan Stanley as a remote member marks a significant step toward the institutionalisation of the UAE capital markets. This partnership supports ADX’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing exchanges and aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term goal of building a diversified, innovation-led economy.
Key performance indicators for ADX in early 2026 include:
- Trading Value: Foreign investor participation drove trading values above 85 billion dirhams in Q1 2026.
- Growth Rate: This represents a 22% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2025.
- Institutional Momentum: In 2025, institutional trading rose by 10% and overall foreign investment increased by nearly 14%.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group CEO of ADX, emphasised that this momentum reflects the exchange’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure to attract global capital. He noted that the market’s growing depth and global relevance are critical to Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic prosperity.
Patrick Delivanis, Regional Co-Head of MENA at Morgan Stanley, stated that the firm is focused on providing greater transparency and seamless access to local markets. He highlighted the continued momentum in the institutionalisation and international participation of UAE markets as a primary driver for the firm’s new membership status.
The remote membership follows a proven international model that allows global firms to connect to local infrastructure without requiring a physical presence for trading operations. This structure is selectively offered to high-quality global firms to attract cross-border liquidity and improve market depth. Subject to final operational readiness, Morgan Stanley expects to commence direct trading on the ADX in the coming weeks.
What this means for the industry
- Global access to regional markets is accelerating
Remote trading models allow international banks to plug directly into local exchanges, making markets like the UAE far more accessible to global institutional capital. - Execution control becomes a competitive advantage
Firms like Morgan Stanley can now manage order routing and execution through their own platforms, improving pricing, speed, and transparency for clients. - ADX strengthens its position as a global capital hub
With rising foreign participation and strong trading growth, ADX is evolving from a regional exchange into a destination market for international investors. - Institutionalisation of Middle East markets is gaining pace
Increased participation from global banks signals maturing market infrastructure, governance, and liquidity across the UAE capital markets ecosystem. - Technology-led market integration is the future
Remote memberships highlight how exchanges are using digital connectivity to attract cross-border liquidity without relying on traditional physical expansion models. - More global banks are likely to follow
As the model proves successful, other international institutions are expected to seek similar access, further deepening liquidity and competition in the region.
Photo by Austin Distel
