FINANCE-

Cambridge Associates sets up shop in DIFC: Global investment firm Cambridge Associates has secured regulatory approval to open an office in Dubai, Bloomberg reports. The firm is joining over 400 wealth and asset managers in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the business news outlet said.

The details: The firm, which has USD 616 bn in assets under management, received a license to operate from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) on Wednesday and will serve institutional clients like endowments, family offices, and foundations across asset classes. This marks the investment firm’s 13th global office and its first regionally.

AVIATION-

AbuDhabi Aviation (ADA) will fund the deployment of Archer Aviation’s Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Abu Dhabi, the company said in a press release (pdf). ADA previously signed on to be Archer’s first Launch Edition customer, with plans to deploy air taxis.

The partnership: Following the signing of an MoU, ADA and Archer will establish a framework for deploying the eVTOLs on a commercial scale, ensuring it generates returns and expands its operational expertise. Archer will provide pilot training, technical and engineering support for the launch, and operational software infrastructure.

ICYMI- Archer announced plans earlier this month to conduct test flights for its Midnight aircraft in the UAE this summer to assess performance in high temperatures. Limited passenger survey flights will take place after, ahead of launching full commercial operations in Abu Dhabi.

CRYPTO-

Austria’s Bitpanda has obtained a broker-dealer license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), paving the way for the offering of its full suite of over 500 digital assets to UAE investors, according to a press release. Bitpanda will operate under VARA’s framework, which combines investor protections with clear digital asset rules.

The details: Bitpanda’s UAE offering will include cryptocurrencies, tokenized stocks, and other digital assets — claiming the region’s widest compliant selection. The company emphasized compliance and user security as differentiators in its rollout plans, and the move is “just the beginning of [its] expansion beyond Europe,” Deputy CEO Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad said.

IN CONTEXT- Bitpanda launched its MENA regional office in Dubai last month, with the firm’s regional headquarters located at the DMCC Crypto Center.

LOGISTICS-

Jafza earmarks AED 90 mn for its expansion plan: Jebel Ali Freezone (Jafza) has invested AED 90 mn into the second phase of its logistics park, adding some 360k sq ft of Grade-A facilities to the plot and bringing the total area of the park to 922k sq ft, according to a statement. The second phase of the park will include loading docks, temperature-controlled warehouses, offices, customizable units, and ramped up power capacity to support the surge in sites.

REMEMBER- Jafza’s rents increased 28% y-o-y in 2024, driven by strong demand from manufacturing, e-commerce, and third-party logistics, followed by Dubai South and DIP. Jafza’s phase one’s units all snapped up before the site was even completed in late 2023. The zone is home to over 10k global firms.

EDUCATION-

The UAE has established the Zayed Education Foundation to provide 100k young talents with access to education and research by 2035, state news agency Wam reports. Its flagship program, Zayed Scholars, will offer merit-based scholarships and leadership training. The foundation will also invest in research and innovation through grants and funding, and plans to expand its initiatives beyond the emirates into the Global South through institutional and governmental partnerships.

INVESTMENT-

Abu Dhabi-based ADMO Lifestyle Holding (ADMO) is upping its investment in luxury hospitality brand Nammos, according to a press release. The statement did not specify an investment figure from Alpha Dhabi and Monterock International’s JV, though it noted that Nammos is currently on an expansion drive, expanding into the UK this year and looking to open a resort in the Maldives next year. ADMO acquired Nammos in 2022, according to a press release.

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