Swiss private bank Maerki Baumann & Co. Ltd. has received regulatory approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate in the United Arab Emirates. This landmark approval, granted on February 5, 2026, allows the Zurich-based bank to establish its first branch outside of Europe and serve cryptocurrency and blockchain firms across the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The bank, which has been working with digital asset clients since 2019, plans to offer a comprehensive suite of crypto-friendly services from its new Abu Dhabi hub. These services include liquidity management, trading support, custody solutions, staking, and digital asset management. The bank also intends to provide corporate accounts specifically for blockchain companies, addressing a critical pain point for crypto firms that often struggle to access reliable, compliant banking services.
The move is a strategic expansion into one of the world's fastest-growing crypto markets. The MENA region has seen steady growth in licensed crypto firms and blockchain startups, creating significant demand for stable banking infrastructure. By establishing a physical presence in Abu Dhabi, Maerki Baumann aims to work directly with clients on the ground, navigating local regulations and building stronger relationships.
Abu Dhabi Global Market has emerged as a structured and clear regulatory hub for digital assets, attracting numerous crypto firms in recent years. For Maerki Baumann, the ADGM framework offers a balance, permitting crypto-related activities under strict oversight—a model that aligns well with the bank's Swiss private banking ethos and helps mitigate regulatory risk for its clients.
While this development is not expected to cause immediate market shifts, it represents a significant step in the ongoing, quiet institutional adoption of cryptocurrency. It provides regional crypto businesses with a new, regulated banking option and offers high-net-worth investors a compliant pathway to access digital asset management services, further blending traditional finance with the crypto ecosystem.
