ADFW2025 DAY1: Global Capital Shifts and Digital Courts Take Centre Stage

Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) opened its doors yesterday, convening the world’s financial elite to address the shifting dynamics of global capital. With over $30trillion in assets under management represented, the event signalled the UAE’s intent to cement its status as a primary node in the global financial network.

The opening day, themed ‘Capital of Capital’, moved beyond standard pleasantries to address the fractured geopolitical landscape and the role of the Middle East as a stabilising financial corridor.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, set the macroeconomic tone early in the proceedings. Addressing a packed plenary hall, Dalio analysed the changing world order, noting that capital is increasingly flowing away from traditional western centres toward neutral, stable jurisdictions. He highlighted the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region not merely as a source of oil wealth, but as a growing hub for sophisticated capital deployment.

Dalio commented on the necessity of diversification in an era of conflict. He suggested that investors must look at the “fundamentals of nations” that are investing in their own infrastructure and education. He noted that the region is currently enjoying a “renaissance” driven by prudent fiscal management and a willingness to engage with global partners regardless of political polarity.

Following the macroeconomic outlook, Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, took the stage to discuss the resilience of the banking sector. Dimon addressed the complexities of the current US economic climate and its ripple effects on global markets. He warned against complacency regarding inflation and interest rates, urging the audience to remain prepared for volatility.

Dimon explained that while technology and AI are rapidly reshaping banking operations, the fundamental need for trusted cross-border payment rails and secure capital custody remains unchanged. He praised the UAE’s rapid infrastructure development, noting that capital moves where it feels welcome and secure.

Adding a technological and philanthropic perspective, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shifted the conversation toward climate finance and health innovation. Gates argued that the financial sector has a moral and profitable imperative to fund the energy transition. He stressed that without massive private capital mobilisation, government pledges alone would fail to meet climate targets.

Gates remarked that the “innovation premium”—the cost difference between clean and dirty technology—is shrinking, making green investments increasingly viable for the institutional investors present in Abu Dhabi.

Digitising the Legal Framework

While the headline speakers addressed the movement of money, The Fintech Times looked at the infrastructure required to protect it. In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the event, we sat down with Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts, to discuss how legal frameworks are keeping pace with fintech innovation.

Fitz-Alan explained that a sophisticated financial centre cannot function without a legal system that moves at the speed of business. She detailed the digital transformation of the ADGM legal system, which was designed to support the very innovation and technology companies attending the week’s events.

“We realised early on that you cannot service 21st-century digital businesses with 19th-century courtroom procedures,” Fitz-Alan said. “Our objective was to create a jurisdiction where technology is not an add-on, but the foundation of dispute resolution.”

She highlighted the ADGM’s introduction of blockchain technology to enforce judgments, a global first that significantly reduces the time and cost associated with commercial litigation. This is particularly vital for fintechs and startups where cash flow is tight and protracted legal battles can be fatal.

“Investors need certainty,” Fitz-Alan added. “When a fintech company sets up here, or a venture capitalist deploys funds, they need to know that if a dispute arises, it will be handled transparently, quickly, and with full judicial enforceability. By digitising our courts, we have removed the friction that traditionally scares capital away.”

She also noted that the “e-courts” platform allows parties to access the ADGM legal system from anywhere in the world, removing geographical barriers to justice. This accessibility aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to attract international tech firms that may not have a massive physical footprint but require a robust regulatory home.

“It is about building trust through technology,” she concluded. “We are not just resolving disputes; we are providing the digital assurance that allows innovation to thrive.”

As Day 1 concluded, the consensus among delegates was clear: capital is available, but it is becoming more selective. It demands stability, clear regulation, and a legal infrastructure that understands the digital economy. Abu Dhabi seems intent on providing all three.