Cantor Receives ADGM Approval for Regulated Financial Activities in Abu Dhabi
Cantor, the global investment bank under Cantor Fitzgerald, has received approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to conduct regulated financial activities in the financial centre. The authorisation was granted through a Financial Services Permission (FSP), marking an important milestone in the firm’s expansion across the Middle East.
The approval follows the opening of Cantor’s Abu Dhabi office in December 2025 and formalises the company’s presence in one of the region’s most prominent international financial hubs. The move underscores Cantor’s intention to strengthen its regional footprint and build out its investment banking and capital markets capabilities in the Gulf.
Regional hub for investment banking and capital markets
Cantor’s Abu Dhabi office will serve as a regional base for its investment banking and capital markets business, according to the company. The office is led by Ali Khalpey, Head of Middle East, Investment Banking & Capital Markets.
The firm said it currently operates two dedicated teams in the Middle East. Its equities platform provides sales, trading and research services to sovereign wealth funds as well as local, regional and global institutional investors active in the region. In parallel, its investment banking team focuses on mergers and acquisitions, along with capital markets advisory services.
Commenting on the approval, Sage Kelly, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Investment Banking at Cantor, said the firm’s presence in Abu Dhabi reflects a long-term commitment to markets that are increasingly influencing global capital flows. He added that the Middle East continues to show strong economic momentum, rising investment activity and significant institutional capital formation.
ADGM sees demand from global financial institutions
ADGM also highlighted the significance of the approval. Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said Cantor’s decision reflects growing demand among global financial institutions to access investment opportunities across the Gulf and the broader Middle East.
The development adds another international financial institution to ADGM’s ecosystem, which has continued to attract firms seeking access to the region’s capital markets, investors and cross-border business opportunities.
Industry Analysis
Cantor’s approval comes at a time when Abu Dhabi is strengthening its position as a regional financial centre. For international firms, obtaining regulatory permission in ADGM can provide a gateway to sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors and advisory opportunities across the Middle East.
The move also reflects broader industry interest in the Gulf, where economic diversification and active capital formation are creating demand for investment banking, trading and advisory services. As more global players establish regulated operations in Abu Dhabi, competition for regional mandates and investor relationships is likely to intensify.
For ADGM, the addition of another major international firm reinforces its role as a destination for financial institutions seeking a regulated platform in the UAE. For Cantor, the approval creates a stronger foundation for long-term growth in a market that it views as strategically important.
