ADI Foundation Accelerates UAE’s National Blockchain Expansion

The ADI Foundation, a blockchain-focused organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, returned to Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) this year with substantial updates on its evolution. At the same event last year, the foundation introduced itself as an entity dedicated to constructing blockchain infrastructure designed to support digital economies for governments and major institutions. Over the past year, the organization has shifted decisively from conceptual planning to large-scale execution.

During this year’s ADFW, CEO Andrey Lazorenko outlined the foundation’s expansion, stating that the team had successfully launched the ADI Chain Mainnet. This blockchain network is specifically built for institutional and governmental use and has been developed in partnership with organizations across more than 20 countries and 50 institutions. The network also hosts national-level pilot programs in several jurisdictions, which the foundation views as a distinct demonstration of how blockchain technology can be utilized to support public-sector reform and modernize essential systems.

New strategic partnerships were also announced during the event. These collaborations aim to integrate ADI Chain with global financial institutions, helping expand blockchain’s real-world applications, particularly in regulated stablecoins and institutional digital finance. These advances align closely with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global center for regulated digital asset development and Web3 innovation.

Lazorenko noted that the UAE has rapidly progressed from early-stage experimentation to establishing what he described as one of the world’s most mature environments for digital assets and Web3 technologies. He pointed out that the ADI Foundation’s presence within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) provides critical regulatory advantages, as ADGM remains at the forefront of implementing legislative frameworks tailored for digital assets.

The UAE’s leadership in sovereign blockchain development was attributed to several strategic advantages, including economic resilience, advanced infrastructure, and a geographic position that facilitates engagement between Eastern and Western markets. The nation continues to push forward with policies that support digital asset regulation and Web3 adoption.

Lazorenko shared that the foundation’s mission involves translating progressive national policies into scalable systems. This includes work on a dirham-backed stablecoin, as well as the development of compliant frameworks for asset tokenization and cross-border payment systems. The foundation is guided by an overarching ambition to integrate one billion individuals into the global digital economy by 2030.

Achieving this target, according to Lazorenko, will require cooperation with governments and major institutional partners, particularly because an estimated 1.4 billion people around the world still lack access to essential financial infrastructure. Partnerships with Sirius International Holding and IHC give the foundation access to a network of more than 90 entities capable of integrating blockchain technology into their operations. These alliances help reduce risk for public-sector adoption, provide pilot project funding, and support socially impactful initiatives built on ADI Chain. The organization believes these connections form a viable pathway from hundreds of millions to one billion users.

ADI Chain itself is structured to meet the needs of governments and institutions requiring scalable digital infrastructure aligned with domestic policy frameworks. It supports national digital identity, government record management, and public services that depend on trust, auditability, and clear regulatory compliance.

One of the network’s flagship initiatives is a dirham-backed stablecoin jointly developed by IHC and First Abu Dhabi Bank under the UAE’s regulatory structure. This asset aims to address legacy payment system challenges by offering fast, secure, low-cost transactions while preserving the country’s monetary sovereignty.

Lazorenko stressed that technological progress must be complemented by human capacity building. To meet this requirement, the FutureTech 4.0 program aims to train more than 10,000 specialists in Web3 technologies in collaboration with ADGM and leading global universities, reinforcing the UAE’s long-term digital transformation agenda.