Emirates NBD, a banking group within the Center East, North Africa and Turkiye (MENAT) area, has issued a $272 million (Dh1 billion) digital bond powered by DLT (distributed ledger know-how). That is the biggest digital public bond issued within the Center East and North Africa (MENA) area.
The digital bond will likely be listed on Nasdaq Dubai, making certain clear worth discovery, entry to secondary markets and alignment with worldwide market requirements, growing investor confidence. This marks the primary time the notice will likely be listed and acknowledged on Nasdaq Dubai.
The bonds had been issued via a public providing beneath Emirates NBD’s Euro Medium Time period Be aware (EMTN) programme. We leveraged distributed ledger know-how (DLT) on Euroclear’s Digital Monetary Market Infrastructure (D-FMI) platform to digitize the bond lifecycle.
D-FMI is a platform that helps the issuance, distribution, and settlement of digital worldwide securities utilizing DLT. It additionally seamlessly integrates with established secondary market providers and buying and selling venues, permitting buyers to keep up entry to acquainted liquidity channels.
Emirates NBD Digital Bonds attracted a various investor base
The bond attracted a various investor base, in keeping with a press launch. Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Financial institution, Mashreq and Normal Chartered acted as joint lead managers, whereas Emirates NBD Capital and Normal Chartered acted as joint digital native notice structuring. Citi acted because the issuing and paying agent.
Ahmed Al Qasim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, defined that the digital bond issuance is a milestone not just for Emirates NBD but additionally for the regional bond market.
He added: “The UAE continues to set new benchmarks for digital property and distributed ledger know-how throughout the Center East. We’re assured that this transaction will enhance operational effectivity, shorten cost cycles, and improve transparency and safety for buyers.” He additionally identified that this may create a extra resilient digital capital market ecosystem within the UAE and the area.
Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai, stated the itemizing of AED-denominated digital native bonds on Nasdaq Dubai demonstrates the maturity of the digital mounted revenue market in a regulated and globally coordinated buying and selling atmosphere.
Moreover, Bernard Phelan, Chief Industrial Officer of Euroclear Group, believes that this transaction will deliver actual worth to prospects. He explains that purchasers will now be capable to leverage innovation with out sacrificing credibility and profit from sooner execution whereas sustaining seamless investor entry, deep liquidity, and alignment with established market requirements.
Qatar Nationwide Financial institution points first blockchain-enabled digital bond
In November 2025, Qatar Nationwide Financial institution (QNB) launched the first-ever native blockchain-enabled digital bond difficulty, elevating $500 million in what is alleged to be the biggest transaction of its variety by a monetary establishment within the Center East and Africa.
The digital bond issuance leveraged the HSBC Orion blockchain resolution. This motion was taken as a part of QNB’s technique to develop new secure funding sources from new markets with digitally progressive funding sources. HSBC acted as sole bookrunner on the transaction, which it calls an additional step in its ambition to offer end-to-end blockchain-based options to its world buyer base.
Previous to that, QNB Group, Normal Chartered and RWA tokenization infrastructure supplier DMZ Finance launched the QCD Cash Market Fund (unit: QCDT), Dubai Worldwide Monetary Heart (DIFC)’s first regulated tokenized cash market fund.
