Hanwha, ADIO and ADGM Partner on Stablecoin-Based Payments and Remittances.
Abu Dhabi and leading South Korean financial institutions are looking to deepen cooperation in digital finance, with a focus on stablecoins, cross-border payment systems and tokenised assets. The new agreements are designed to strengthen financial connectivity and encourage greater collaboration between the two markets.
Hanwha Finance has broadened its partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) following agreements reached at the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Seoul.
As part of the growing cooperation, Hanwha Life also signed an agreement with ADIO covering several areas of financial innovation, including digital assets, capital markets, digital banking and financial technology.
The two parties will also assess potential opportunities in real-world asset tokenisation, a process that converts ownership or rights associated with physical and traditional financial assets into digital tokens recorded on a blockchain.
Stablecoins and cross-border payments
Under a separate agreement, Hanwha Asset Management, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Hana Financial Group will examine opportunities to collaborate on stablecoin technology and the development of cross-border financial infrastructure.
The collaboration could involve developing payment and remittance services connecting South Korea and Abu Dhabi, alongside broader initiatives aimed at strengthening digital asset infrastructure.
Stablecoins are digital assets structured to keep their value relatively steady, typically by being pegged to a traditional currency or backed by another underlying asset.
Fatima Al Hammadi, Head of the Fintech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Investments Cluster at ADIO, highlighted South Korea’s significant role as a partner for Abu Dhabi, particularly in the financial services and technology sectors.
Al Hammadi said the partnership with Hanwha is expected to open new avenues for cooperation in digital finance, digital assets and financial innovation.
The agreements were finalised at the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Seoul, an event organised by ADIO to strengthen connections between Abu Dhabi and international businesses and investors.
More Korean companies eye Abu Dhabi
Rashed Al Blooshi, CEO of ADGM’s Registration Authority, said strengthening economic relations between the UAE and South Korea are creating fresh opportunities for Korean businesses seeking to establish or expand their presence in Abu Dhabi and across the region.
He added that ADGM aims to deepen its engagement with South Korea’s business and investment community while helping Korean companies establish operations, expand their businesses and access regional and international markets through Abu Dhabi.
Hanwha Finance has further strengthened its relationship with ADGM by partnering with the financial centre for Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026, scheduled to be held in the UAE capital this December.
According to the company, the new agreements build on financial ties established during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025 and are expected to deepen collaboration between South Korea and the Middle East across the financial sector.
