ADX becomes first Middle Eastern exchange to list securities in the US
19 December 2025 Abu Dhabi
Image: Matyas Rehak/stock.adobe.com
The Abu Dhabi 糖心vlog Exchange (ADX) Group, has marked a major step in its global integration strategy by becoming the first exchange in the Middle East to list securities from the US.
This milestone follows an agreement the ADX Group signed with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2023, which laid the foundation for two-way listings and expanded market access between the two exchanges.
This is the first time exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered in the US are being cross-listed 鈥� when the same shares of the same company are listed on different exchanges 鈥� in the region, offering investors exposure to China鈥檚 digital economy and the global carbon credit market through two flagship ETFs from KraneShares, a specialist investment manager.
Together, KraneShares鈥� CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) and Global Carbon Strategy ETF (KRBN) add nearly US$10 billion in assets under management (AUM) to Abu Dhabi鈥檚 market and expand the breadth of global exposure available on the ADX.
Their addition brings the total number of ETFs listed on the ADX to 20, highlighting the exchange鈥檚 role as the region鈥檚 leading venue for diversified and thematic ETF investing and the gateway to global capital.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, group CEO, of the ADX Group, says: 鈥淭his milestone reflects the continued strengthening of Abu Dhabi鈥檚 role within the global financial landscape.
鈥淟isting US securities on the ADX demonstrates the confidence international partners place in our market infrastructure, regulatory robustness, and deepening liquidity.
鈥淭hese ETF listings also serve as a meaningful bridge connecting the UAE with both the US and Chinese capital markets.鈥�
KWEB, the largest US-listed China ETFs, offers investors exposure to 29 tech companies that provide services similar to Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon in one of the world鈥檚 most populous countries and beyond.
KRBN is benchmarked to the S&P Global Carbon Credit Index and gives investors with diversified exposure to major cap-and-trade carbon allowances through the most actively traded carbon credit futures contracts.
A cap-and-trade programme is designed to reduce pollution by putting a price on emissions and setting a limit, creating a market where carbon prices rise as regulations tighten.
With a global market valued at more than US$900 billion, this ETF offers investors a way to hedge risk and to go long on the price of carbon while supporting responsible investing.
Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares, states: 鈥淭his is a transformational step for regional investors seeking global exposure through world-class ETFs.
鈥淐ross-listing KWEB and KRBN on ADX not only expands access across the GCC but also strengthens financial bridges between the US, China and the Middle East.鈥�
Jon Herrick, chief product officer at NYSE Group, adds: 鈥淜raneShares has long been an important member of the NYSE ETF community and seeing two NYSE-listed ETFs expand their global footprint through a cross-listing on ADX underscores the growing interconnectedness of global capital markets.鈥�
By making these global themes available on the ADX, investors can now access international opportunities during Gulf market hours, settle trades in AED, and work through UAE brokers without the need for offshore accounts.
These breakthroughs improve investors鈥� ability to react to market developments in real time and reduce their exposure to gap risk, as shares remain fully fungible with the original units listed in the US.
The listings also give investors a way to diversify portfolios across sectors and sustainability-linked markets through a regulated and efficient local platform that combines global reach with the transparency of Abu Dhabi鈥檚 capital market infrastructure.
This milestone follows an agreement the ADX Group signed with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2023, which laid the foundation for two-way listings and expanded market access between the two exchanges.
This is the first time exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered in the US are being cross-listed 鈥� when the same shares of the same company are listed on different exchanges 鈥� in the region, offering investors exposure to China鈥檚 digital economy and the global carbon credit market through two flagship ETFs from KraneShares, a specialist investment manager.
Together, KraneShares鈥� CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) and Global Carbon Strategy ETF (KRBN) add nearly US$10 billion in assets under management (AUM) to Abu Dhabi鈥檚 market and expand the breadth of global exposure available on the ADX.
Their addition brings the total number of ETFs listed on the ADX to 20, highlighting the exchange鈥檚 role as the region鈥檚 leading venue for diversified and thematic ETF investing and the gateway to global capital.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, group CEO, of the ADX Group, says: 鈥淭his milestone reflects the continued strengthening of Abu Dhabi鈥檚 role within the global financial landscape.
鈥淟isting US securities on the ADX demonstrates the confidence international partners place in our market infrastructure, regulatory robustness, and deepening liquidity.
鈥淭hese ETF listings also serve as a meaningful bridge connecting the UAE with both the US and Chinese capital markets.鈥�
KWEB, the largest US-listed China ETFs, offers investors exposure to 29 tech companies that provide services similar to Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon in one of the world鈥檚 most populous countries and beyond.
KRBN is benchmarked to the S&P Global Carbon Credit Index and gives investors with diversified exposure to major cap-and-trade carbon allowances through the most actively traded carbon credit futures contracts.
A cap-and-trade programme is designed to reduce pollution by putting a price on emissions and setting a limit, creating a market where carbon prices rise as regulations tighten.
With a global market valued at more than US$900 billion, this ETF offers investors a way to hedge risk and to go long on the price of carbon while supporting responsible investing.
Jonathan Krane, CEO of KraneShares, states: 鈥淭his is a transformational step for regional investors seeking global exposure through world-class ETFs.
鈥淐ross-listing KWEB and KRBN on ADX not only expands access across the GCC but also strengthens financial bridges between the US, China and the Middle East.鈥�
Jon Herrick, chief product officer at NYSE Group, adds: 鈥淜raneShares has long been an important member of the NYSE ETF community and seeing two NYSE-listed ETFs expand their global footprint through a cross-listing on ADX underscores the growing interconnectedness of global capital markets.鈥�
By making these global themes available on the ADX, investors can now access international opportunities during Gulf market hours, settle trades in AED, and work through UAE brokers without the need for offshore accounts.
These breakthroughs improve investors鈥� ability to react to market developments in real time and reduce their exposure to gap risk, as shares remain fully fungible with the original units listed in the US.
The listings also give investors a way to diversify portfolios across sectors and sustainability-linked markets through a regulated and efficient local platform that combines global reach with the transparency of Abu Dhabi鈥檚 capital market infrastructure.
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