The Middle East crypto space shared an important movethat just happened. Maerki Baumann & Co. Ltd. is a private bank based in Switzerland. It has received regulatory approval to operate in the UAE. This approval came from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market. With this, the bank can now serve crypto and blockchain firms across the wider MENA region. This marks the bank’s first branch outside Europe.
Maerki Baumann isn’t new to crypto. The Zurich based bank has worked with digital asset clients since 2019. With time, it built services around blockchain firms, tech founders and high net worth clients active in crypto. This UAE approval isn’t a sudden pivot. Instead, it looks like the next step.
By opening in Abu Dhabi, the bank places itself closer to fast growing crypto markets. The MENA region has seen steady growth in blockchain startups and licensed crypto firms. That led to demand for stable and compliant banking. Consequently, Maerki Baumann now wants to meet that demand directly.
With the ADGM license, Maerki Baumann can offer a wide set of crypto friendly services. These include liquidity management, trading support, custody, staking and digital asset management. The bank also plans to support corporate accounts for blockchain firms.
Importantly, the services target companies and private clients. Crypto firms often struggle to access reliable banking. This move gives them another regulated option. Additionally, wealthy clients who hold digital assets can access traditional private banking under clear rules. The Abu Dhabi branch will act as the bank’s regional hub. By doing so, it allows the team to work directly on the ground. Clearly, that proximity matters in a sector where regulation, trust and local presence play a big role. In fact, having a physical office helps the bank navigate complex local rules and build stronger relationships with its clients.
Abu Dhabi has quietly become one of the more structured crypto hubs. ADGM offers a clear framework for digital assets. Over the past years, many crypto firms have secured licenses there. European banks are now paying attention.
For Maerki Baumann, ADGM offers balance. It allows crypto activity but under strict oversight. This fits well with a Swiss private bank model. It also helps reduce risk for clients who want exposure without regulatory surprises. The move also shows how institutional interest in crypto often grows without hype. There are no bold price calls here. Just infrastructure, licenses and services.
This approval will not change markets overnight. Still, it matters. Crypto firms in the region gain another banking option. High net worth capital may find new paths into blockchain projects. Additionally, traditional finance continues to blend with digital assets. Maerki Baumann’s expansion shows a clear trend. Crypto adoption at the institutional level is slow, quiet and regulated. That may not grab headlines. But with time, it shapes the foundation of the industry.
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