South Korea’s crypto venture powerhouse, Hashed, is making a strategic move into the Middle East after securing regulatory approval to operate within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The development signals a growing alignment between Asian crypto innovation and Gulf-based institutional capital.
Through its entity, Hashed Global Management Limited, the firm has obtained Financial Services Permission from ADGM, allowing it to conduct a range of regulated financial activities. These include advising on investments and credit, arranging deals, managing assets, and running collective investment funds, all under the supervision of ADGM’s regulatory arm.
😧 JUST IN: Crypto VC, Hashed gains financial services had been licensed in Abu Dhabi, per report.
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A gateway to regulated institutional capital
With this license, Hashed gains access to operate within one of the region’s most structured financial ecosystems. Oversight is provided by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), which ensures compliance and governance for firms operating in the zone.
Seokwon Hong, the licensed director and senior executive officer of the entity, described the approval as a foundational step toward deeper collaboration. According to him, the license enables Hashed to engage directly with institutional investors in the Middle East while maintaining operations within a clearly defined regulatory framework.
The firm is positioning itself as a bridge between capital-rich Gulf investors and innovative founders from South Korea and beyond, aiming to facilitate cross-border investment flows and partnerships.
ADGM emerges as a global crypto hub
Hashed’s expansion indicates that global crypto firms are increasingly turning to ADGM for regulatory clarity and scalability. The financial free zone, which operates under its own legal and financial system, has become a magnet for companies seeking a stable environment to grow.
Major platforms like Binance, Circle, and Ripple have already secured approvals within the jurisdiction, underscoring rising institutional participation. In a similar move earlier this year, Ondo Finance gained approval to offer tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs within ADGM. These digital securities, structured as equity-linked notes, are now accessible via regulated trading infrastructure, giving investors exposure to global giants like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla outside the U.S.
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