Sep 10, 2026
Oil prices jumped after a two-month US-Israel-Iran ceasefire window expired without a peace deal, while conflicting claims emerged over the Strait of Hormuz's status and a vessel was hit by an unknown projectile. Iran rejected UAE accusations of firing a ballistic missile, prompting Abu Dhabi to freeze trade with Tehran.
Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi Investment Council collectively hold approximately $764 million worth of BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, maintaining their positions through Q2 despite Bitcoin's 47% decline.
Coinbase has received a Financial Services Permission from Abu Dhabi's financial regulator to establish an international tokenization hub in the emirate. The license covers arranging deals in investments and custody of tokenized securities.
Dubai-based maritime platform Shipfinex has partnered with Abu Dhabi's ADI Chain to tokenize approximately 35 commercial vessels worth $500 million, aiming to create new blockchain-based financing channels for shipowners in the $2 trillion shipping asset class.
Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi's $385 billion sovereign wealth fund, has launched a tokenized version of one of its private markets investment strategies on multiple blockchains including Solana, Sui, and Base, with Coinbase taking exposure in the fund through a partnership with Abu Dhabi FinTech firm Kaio.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has officially recognized Tether Gold (XAU₮) as an Accepted Spot Commodity, allowing regulated firms within the international financial center to offer services involving the tokenized gold product subject to their own regulatory approvals.
A drone strike sparked a fire at an electrical generator at the Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi. The UAE condemned the attack as a 'dangerous escalation' and investigations are underway to determine the source.
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center has achieved a breakthrough in regenerative medicine by developing a technique that allows scientists to generate brain stem cells using a patient's own cells, advancing personalized medicine approaches.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on civilian energy infrastructure in Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain, causing fires at power plants, water facilities, and oil installations. Kuwait's oil infrastructure was damaged, while the UAE and Bahrain reported attacks on aluminum and energy facilities.
Iranian strikes targeted Aluminium Bahrain (one of the world's largest smelters) and facilities in the UAE, injuring at least two people. The attacks on critical Gulf industrial infrastructure mark an escalation in Iran's targeting of economic assets beyond military sites.