iCapital secures ADGM licence to expand investment across GCC

By Divya Shah

iCapital, a FinTech platform focused on alternative investments, has obtained a financial services licence from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), strengthening its presence in the Gulf region and enabling it to serve eligible clients locally.

Following the launch of its Abu Dhabi office in December 2025, the company’s first regional office. The licence is expected to support the company’s efforts to provide access to private market and hedge fund investment opportunities for professional and qualified investors across the GCC.

The development also builds on iCapital’s partnership with MPW Capital Advisors, its regional distribution partner, as the firm targets growing demand for alternative investment products among wealth managers and high-net-worth investors in the Gulf.

Alternative assets are drawing increasing interest from investors seeking portfolio diversification beyond traditional public markets. In response, wealth management firms across the region have been expanding their access to private markets, private credit and hedge fund strategies.

Brooks Entwistle, Head of International at iCapital, said, “As wealth managers and eligible investors increasingly incorporate alternative investments, including private markets and hedge funds, into diversified portfolios, we are focused on delivering the products, technology infrastructure, and education needed to support thoughtful implementation at scale. Our local presence in Abu Dhabi strengthens our ability to serve clients across the Gulf with solutions that reflect regional requirements and the continued evolution of the wealth management ecosystem.”

Separately, iCapital has broadened its range of Sharia-compliant alternative investment offerings through a collaboration with Aditum Investment Management Limited, an Islamic investment structuring specialist managing more than $9bn in assets.

The company said the initiative is intended to expand access to alternative investment strategies that align with local market requirements and investor preferences.

Alongside its product expansion efforts, iCapital continues to invest in investor education and industry engagement initiatives in the region. The company will also bring back its iCapital Engage+ Dubai event, which gathers wealth managers, asset managers and industry participants to discuss developments in alternative investing, including private markets and hedge funds.

The latest licence positions iCapital to further expand its regional operations as demand for alternative investment solutions continues to grow across the GCC wealth management sector.