Mubadala makes container play, e& capital backs Magic Cube, Capital Group joins ADGM, progress on Dubai Loop

Mubadala plays the container game

Mubadala Investment Company is adding to its logistics wager, co-investing USD 300 mn alongside US investment firm Stonepeak to back Bermuda-based Textainer’s acquisition of shipping container firm Seaco, according to a statement. The transaction that brings together two major container lessors into one of the world’s largest platforms.

What’s being built: The combined business will control a fleet of more than 8 mn containers and a global depot network serving key trade routes, particularly across Asia. The tie-up builds on Stonepeak’s earlier acquisition of Textainer in 2024 and Seaco in 2025, consolidating scale in a sector built on long-term leases and high utilization.

Why it matters: Container leasing underpins global trade — with around 75% of goods moving by sea — offering steady, utilization-driven returns tied to shipping demand. The move adds to Mubadala’s growing exposure to transport and logistics infrastructure, including its stake in trailer leasing platformTEN.

e& capital backs MagicCube in latest digital infrastructure play

e&’s venture capital arm, e& capital, has backed US payments security firm MagicCube as part of a USD 10 mn round, as it leans further into fintech and digital infrastructure plays, according to a press release.

The investment adds to a roster of investments from e& capital across fintech, AI, and digital assets, with prior investments including US ITS provider Derq, Cairo-based proptech platform Nawy, and blockchain infrastructure firm Fuze.

Why this one: MagicCube sits at the “intersection of digital payments, identity, and AI security” — an area e&’s Eddy Farhat says is a “fast-growing need.” Its software-first platform secures data across devices without hardware, positioning it as a sovereign-grade trust layer for cloud and edge environments. Backers include Visa, Sony Innovation Fund, Bold Capital Partners, NTT Data, and Epic Ventures.

Capital Group joins the ADGM crowd

US asset manager Capital Group is setting up its first Middle East office in ADGM, according to a statement. The office — expected to open later this year subject to approvals — will house investment, operational, and client-facing functions, with Benno Klingenberg-Timm (LinkedIn) relocating to head up the Abu Dhabi office. The asset manager has some USD 3.3 tn in assets under management.

Another vote of confidence: The move follows a string of global firms setting up shop in ADGM in the past couple of months, including Rokos Capital Management, Bain Capital, and Hillhouse, signaling sustained investor appetite for Abu Dhabi despite the regional backdrop. CEO Mike Gitlin said the expansion reflects “high conviction” in the market, as the firm looks to get closer to regional partners and pursue further investments in the region.

Not the only one: UK-based alternative investment firm Man Group is looking to set up in Abu Dhabi, taking steps to secure a category 3A license, ADGM said. The largest publicly-listed hedge fund manager has USD 228.7 bn in assets under management, and will target distribution, trading, and investment through its eventual presence in the emirate, CEO Robyn Grew said. Grew also noted the UAE as among the countries looking to reduce its reliance on other providers as a buffer against future similar scenarios, in an interview with Bloomberg. For now, optimism is persisting, with certain markets like Europe, are feeling the pressure more than others, but this may depend on how long the war drags on, she said.

Progress on Dubai Loop

Partner tapped for Dubai Loop: Plans are progressing for the Dubai Loop project, with Elon Musk’s The Boring Company tapping US-based engineering firm Parsons Corporation as program manager for the build, according to a press release.

ICYMI- The 17-km network will cover 11 stations and be serviced by Tesla vehicles. Previous reports had it slated to open as early as 2Q this year. Dubai’s transport infrastructure is on somewhat of a roll currently, with the emirate recently announcing plans for an AED 34 bn underground metro line running from Dubai’s historic center to Jumeirah Golf Estates. Dubai’s Blue Line extension is already in the works, and due to come online in 2029.