ADI Foundation and Zamanat Advisors chart course for institutional tokenised credit

Two organisations unite to develop blockchain-based investment products spanning maritime finance, SME lending and Sukuk, with ambitions to tokenise up to US$150 million in real-world assets

The convergence of institutional finance and blockchain technology finds fresh expression in a new collaboration between ADI Foundation and Zamanat Advisors Ltd, two organisations bringing complementary expertise to the emerging market for tokenised real-world assets. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed this month, the partnership seeks to transform established lending markets through digital infrastructure and structured Islamic finance.

ADI Foundation, which builds the digital infrastructure enabling institutions and governments to participate in the next generation of the global digital economy, will provide access to a pipeline of real-world asset opportunities and its ADI Chain infrastructure. Zamanat Advisors, a Shariah-aligned orchestrator for tokenised investment products, will lead credit analysis, due diligence, transaction structuring and investor distribution coordination. Together, they aim to develop investment products designed to meet the rigorous requirements of institutional investors, with ADI Chain supporting issuance, ownership records and settlement infrastructure, and regulated activities undertaken by appropriately authorised providers where required.

The initial areas of focus encompass maritime finance, SME credit, trade finance receivables and Sukuk, including Shariah-compliant structures. A pilot phase will explore tokenised vessel financing with structures designed to provide periodic distributions to eligible investors. The framework establishes an ambition to support up to US$150 million in tokenised assets on ADI Chain, drawing on opportunities sourced by both organisations, subject to commercial viability and regulatory requirements.

Ramana Kumar, ADI Foundation’s President of Stablecoin Ecosystem, characterised ADI as the destination chain for institutional-grade high-quality assets focused on real economic activity and financing opportunities. “Whether financing a vessel, extending credit to an SME or supporting trade, these are established markets with real demand for capital. Zamanat brings the credit, structuring and distribution expertise to help us translate those opportunities into investment products that institutions can evaluate and participate in.”

Umair Tariq, Chief Executive of Zamanat Advisors Ltd, highlighted the dual foundation of the arrangement. “The global market we are building for Digital Shariah Assets needs a steady supply of assets that institutions can underwrite and a chain they trust to issue and settle them. This collaboration gives us both. ADI brings origination and ADI Chain, and we bring the credit analysis and structuring, with Shariah review on each Sukuk and Islamic structure, that turn an SME facility, a trade receivable or an underlying asset into a product an investment committee can approve.”

The agreement establishes a framework for the organisations to identify potential transactions, assess their commercial, credit and regulatory viability, and advance selected opportunities toward development and implementation. This partnership builds on earlier work by ADI Foundation and Tokinvest to tokenise $100 million of Sukuk, demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s growing momentum in blockchain-enabled institutional finance.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This collaboration reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre for innovation at the intersection of finance, technology and Islamic banking. By creating institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure for real-world assets, the partnership supports the diversification of economic opportunity beyond traditional lending channels, unlocking capital for maritime industries, small and medium enterprises, and international trade.

The partnership also extends Abu Dhabi’s leadership in Shariah-compliant digital finance, offering a template for structured Islamic investment products that meet both religious principles and institutional investor standards. As these tokenised asset markets mature, they promise to strengthen the emirate’s role as a bridge between regional capital and global opportunities.

Source: WAM