The Stacks Asia DLT Foundation has taken a major step toward accelerating Bitcoin’s global expansion by securing an official partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Announced on April 28, the collaboration establishes Stacks Asia as the first Bitcoin-focused organization with a formal foothold in the Middle East, positioning it to drive greater institutional engagement in the Bitcoin economy.
The partnership will focus on developing educational initiatives, supporting Bitcoin-native builders, and fostering innovation around Bitcoin’s layer-2 technology. According to Kyle Ellicott, executive director of Stacks Asia, the collaboration is expected to play a “pivotal role” in advancing Bitcoin’s programmability and real-world adoption, while setting new benchmarks for regulatory clarity and technical growth across the region.
ADGM, known as the “Capital of Capital” in the United Arab Emirates, has built a reputation as a progressive financial hub, and its alliance with Stacks Asia further cements its commitment to becoming a global leader in blockchain innovation.
Stacks Asia Launches Bitcoin Education Drive Across the Region
Starting in May, Stacks Asia plans to roll out a series of live and virtual events to educate institutions on Bitcoin’s evolving role within the financial sector. These initiatives aim to equip businesses, developers, and investors with practical insights into integrating Bitcoin-based solutions, particularly around decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, and real-world asset tokenization.
The foundation’s broader goal is to cultivate a vibrant regional developer community, advancing Bitcoin’s shift from a simple store of value to a programmable financial network capable of powering next-generation applications.
“Our mission is to empower institutions with the tools to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential as productive capital,” Ellicott emphasized.
He praised ADGM’s forward-thinking regulatory environment, describing it as an ideal launchpad for Bitcoin innovation across the Middle East and Asia.
Stacks Foundation Pushes for Bitcoin-Friendly Global Regulation
Beyond its Middle Eastern expansion, the Stacks Foundation continues to champion more progressive global policies for Bitcoin adoption. Its advocacy efforts focus on balancing decentralization, security, innovation, and regulatory compliance—principles the foundation sees as essential to unlocking Bitcoin’s broader utility in global finance.
As part of this push, Stacks is developing the Bitcoin Capital Activation Framework, a detailed policy blueprint to help regulators integrate Bitcoin into national financial systems. In May, the foundation will also launch the Bitcoin Policy Bridge, a regional working group designed to unite Middle Eastern and Asian regulators around consistent, innovation-friendly crypto policies.
The Abu Dhabi partnership follows broader regional momentum: earlier this year, ADGM also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solana Foundation to promote blockchain development—further strengthening its position as a key global center for crypto innovation.
Quick Facts
- Stacks Asia partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to drive Bitcoin-focused innovation across the Middle East.
- The collaboration aims to foster Bitcoin DeFi, digital identity projects, and real-world asset tokenization.
- Abu Dhabi’s regulatory framework continues to attract major blockchain players amid global regulatory uncertainty.
- The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a critical center for Bitcoin-driven infrastructure growth.
