Key Highlights
- Maerki Baumann opens an Abu Dhabi branch to support crypto firms with Swiss banking reliability and local expertise.
- UAE’s Decree Law No. 6 brings DeFi and Web3 under clear rules, requiring daily compliance, even for decentralized projects.
- ADGM’s crypto framework and stablecoin rules make the UAE a regulated, secure hub for blockchain and digital asset ventures.
Swiss private bank Maerki Baumann & Co. Ltd. has officially received regulatory approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This approval allows the bank to open a branch in Abu Dhabi and serve blockchain and crypto companies directly.
This move will help Maerki Baumann grow beyond Europe and strengthen its presence in the Middle East. The bank aims to support crypto and blockchain businesses by offering the essential banking services and financial tools they need to operate smoothly.
According to the announcement, the Abu Dhabi branch, which will be branded as “ARCHIP,” will offer corporate accounts, liquidity management, trading, custody, staking, and digital asset management services. There will be local relationship managers handling Web3 and tech clients, as well as Switzerland’s Tech Banking team.
Andreas Fröhlicher, the Middle East Hub head, emphasized, “Through our Abu Dhabi branch, we are making our banking expertise and digital asset services accessible to clients and entrepreneurs in the region.” He reports to Deputy CEO Lukas S. Risi and brings years of legal and regulatory expertise.
Strategic expansion and market position
Stephan A. Zwahlen, CEO of Maerki Baumann, described the ADGM license as a “strategically important milestone” for the bank. He noted that expanding Tech Banking demonstrates long-term commitment to technology-focused companies.
This balance in crypto activity under robust regulatory oversight is in line with the Swiss banking model, providing comfort to clients who seek crypto exposure without any surprises. Apart from banking services, this also represents the steady interest in crypto by institutions, an interest that grows quietly without hype.
The framework provided by ADGM on digital assets makes the region even more attractive. More than 80 VASPs have been operational under the UAE regulators’ supervision. However, licensing is just the starting point; supervision, internal controls, and ongoing compliance are the focus of regulators such as Dubai’s VARA.
Stablecoins have moved from conceptual relevance to operational relevance, supported by the Central Bank of the UAE’s revised payment token frameworks. As such, risk-based regulations are now applicable to stablecoin issuers and intermediaries, which started in January of this year.
Regulatory clarity strengthens crypto ecosystem
The UAE also introduced Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2025 to bring DeFi and Web3 activities under official rules. Starting September 16, 2025, the law gave the central bank control over payments, exchanges, lending, custody, and investment platforms.
Irina Heaver, founder of NeosLegal, called it “one of the most consequential regulatory shifts” for UAE crypto. Even fully automated or decentralized projects now need a license if they deal with stablecoins, tokenized assets, or liquidity services. Hence, these projects must follow rules and stay compliant every day, not just rely on getting a license once.
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