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ADGM Reinforces Abu Dhabi’s Standing as a Global Financial Hub with 54% Growth in AUM and Almost 14,000 Active Licences

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, delivered strong growth in the first half of 2026, with Assets Under Management rising 54% year on year and its workforce reaching 49,027 professionals. Meanwhile, the number of active licences also climbed to almost 14,000.

The results reflect the continued expansion of capital, business activity and talent across ADGM, as global institutions increasingly structure, deploy and manage investment through Abu Dhabi. These results reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing position as the leading global financial hub of the MEASA region and the “Capital of Capital.”

Commenting on another record performance by ADGM, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, “ADGM is championing Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision and cementing its growing influence as the centre of global capital flows. The scale of growth we are witnessing across capital, institutions, businesses and talent demonstrates sustained international confidence in Abu Dhabi as a stable, trusted and globally connected financial hub. Whether it is capital, opportunity or ambition, Abu Dhabi is increasingly becoming the place where all these factors converge seamlessly and meaningfully. Through ADGM, we are building on this momentum, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as the Capital of Capital and advancing our ambition to become among the world’s top five leading international financial centres.”

ADGM’s asset management ecosystem has sustained its strong momentum in 2026. AUM within ADGM increased 54% in H1 2026 compared to H1 2025, extending an unbroken run of growth since the start of 2022.

The number of fund and asset managers based in ADGM reached 190, up 23% from 154 in H1 2025, with 11 managers added in the second quarter alone, ADGM’s strongest quarterly increase. The number of funds managed from ADGM rose to 276, representing a 32% increase from 209 funds in H1 2025.

Collectively, the asset managers that established operations in ADGM during H1 2026 oversee more than USD 2.1 trillion in global assets under management, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a destination for international investment firms.

ADGM continued to experience strong business activity during H1, with the total number of active licences reaching 13,974, making it the largest IFC in the MEASA region by this key indicator. Of these, 1,814 licences were issued during the period.

Operational entities reached 3,986, representing a 34% rise from 2,972 at the end of H1 2025, highlighting the continued evolution of ADGM from a destination for business establishment into an increasingly deep and active financial ecosystem.

ADGM’s financial services ecosystem continued to deepen in H1 2026. The number of financial services entities operating within the jurisdiction surged to 392 in H1 2026, up 27% from 308 at the end of H1 2025.

Meanwhile, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued a total of 50 In-Principle Approvals for financial services firms, while 45 new Financial Services Permissions were granted.

Major financial firms establishing, launching or expanding their presence during the first half of the year included Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Muzinich & Co., Madison Realty Capital, Grow Investment Group, Rokos Capital Management, Polygreen Holdings, Hashed, Cantor, Bitexen MENA, Bitexen Custody, Copper ME, Blue Owl and Dhabi, among others.

The continued growth of ADGM’s ecosystem is being matched by significant growth in its talent base.

At the end of H1 2026, the combined workforce across Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island reached 49,027 professionals, an increase of 4,688 in the first half of 2026 alone. This represents an increase of 34%, compared to the same period last year.

ADGM Academy continued to advance Abu Dhabi’s national talent and knowledge agenda during H1 2026, training 1,607 Emirati nationals and expanding pathways to employment through its partnership with the Mawaheb Talent Hub, backed by the Department of Government Enablement. Its national development efforts included graduating a third cohort of 28 young Emiratis, selecting 15 UAE Nationals for the World Bank Group Explorers Program.

The Academy also launched the Wealth Management Institute WMI School of AI, training over 544 UAE Nationals in agentic AI, alongside three new flagship programmes focused on family offices and wealth management.

ADGM has become the jurisdiction of choice for institutions deploying capital into artificial intelligence, with more than USD 100 billion in AI-focused investment now held by entities established in the financial centre.

That concentration is anchored by MGX, the global investment platform focused on large-scale deployment of capital into artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced technologies, which is licensed by ADGM’s FSRA.

During the first half of 2026, the financial centre completed the first phase of its artificial intelligence implementation, deploying 25 business functions with AI across licensing, supervision and customer service. The rollout has reduced manual workload by more than 5,000 staff hours annually, accelerated approval timelines and enabled approximately 25% of customer enquiries to be resolved instantly through digital channels. 

Alongside these deployments, ADGM is strengthening the data, governance, cybersecurity and workforce foundations required to scale AI responsibly.

Under a technology roadmap extending to 2029, ADGM will invest more than AED 400 million to expand these capabilities, positioning the centre to regulate and serve an increasingly AI-driven financial industry. 

ADGM has continued to deepen its international engagement this year. During the first half, ADGM expanded its outreach across key Asian markets including China, India and Singapore, while a strategic partnership with Shenzhen’s Futian District. A strategic engagement with Italy, led by ADGM’s Chairman, supported increased collaboration across investment, financial services and institutional partnerships.

ADGM also maintained a prominent presence in the US through its participation in the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026, where engagements with leading global financial institutions, including Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners and Man Group, explored opportunities for deeper collaboration and expansion within Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem.

ADGM also advanced a series of regulatory enhancements during H1 2026. The Registration Authority of ADGM introduced an integrated suite of real estate services, alongside the launch of a new Broker Classification Framework. The RA also published a discussion paper seeking stakeholder feedback on proposed guidance for crypto mining activities as well as amendments to ADGM’s commercial legislation to enhance regulatory clarity, strengthen beneficial ownership requirements.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM advanced enhancements to its regulatory framework for insurance, aligning with International Association of Insurance Supervisors standards, and introducing requirements for the management of climate-related financial risks by relevant firms. It also finalised its regulatory framework for the staking of virtual assets, and finalised enhancements to ADGM’s anti-money laundering framework to reflect developments in federal legislation and the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The first half also witnessed updates to the published Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Rulebook in May 2026.

International regulatory cooperation also remained a priority, with the FSRA signing an MoU with Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), Shenzhen’s Futian District, and the Central Bank of Brazil.

ADGM Courts’ record-breaking caseload in 2026 reflects growing confidence in its independent, internationally recognised judicial framework. By July 1, ADGM Courts had already exceeded its total caseload for the whole of 2025 and is tracking to more than double last year’s caseload.

Moreover, the International Arbitration Centre Alliance launched its Global Passport, enabling recognised members of participating international dispute resolution centres to access shared facilities and services across jurisdictions.

As it builds on the momentum achieved during the first half of 2026, ADGM remains focused on strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the ‘Capital of Capital’ and enabling sustainable economic diversification.

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Poshmark Introduces “Try Yourself On™,” Inviting Fashion Exploration Across Millions of Closets

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Poshmark’s largest integrated brand campaign to date brings a stronger focus on fashion, inspiration and discovery to the brand

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What if your next favorite look is already hanging in someone else’s closet? Today, Poshmark introduces Try Yourself On™, a new brand concept debuting as part of the company’s largest integrated brand campaign to-date.

Rooted in the belief that personal style is meant to be explored, Try Yourself On celebrates the possibilities found across millions of individual closets and invites fashion lovers to look beyond what they already know they like and discover something unexpected.

Launching September 8 during New York’s biggest week in fashion, the campaign brings Try Yourself On to life across film, out-of-home, social and experiential, alongside collaborations with creative voices across fashion and culture.

“Poshmark brings millions of expressions of human taste together in one place,” said Elizabeth von der Goltz, Chief Revenue Officer, Poshmark. “You can move between aesthetics, discover a new designer, find an amazing piece from another era, or stumble upon something you never would have searched for. That’s the idea behind ‘Try Yourself On’ – fashion as a way to discover different versions of yourself. There’s no other fashion destination quite like Poshmark where the world’s closets are at your fingertips.”

The launch comes amid a broader evolution at Poshmark, as new leadership and industry expertise bring a sharper fashion lens and fresh perspective to the marketplace aimed at building cultural relevance and driving commercial growth.

Try Yourself On

Developed in partnership with creative agency nice&frank, the Try Yourself On campaign draws inspiration from the curiosity of looking through someone else’s closet and discovering something you might never have searched for yourself. Set against Poshmark’s ever-changing marketplace, where more than 700,000 new listings are added every day, the campaign celebrates the possibilities of personal style and the thrill of trying on something unexpected.

A series of long- and short-form films directed by mixed-media director and photographer Léa Esmaili combines live action, animation and CGI to capture the playful spirit of dressing up. The films follow characters through unexpected worlds, outfits and identities as they search for what they had in mind — and discover something they never knew they wanted.

Launching September 8, Try Yourself On will extend across New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto through Poshmark’s largest out-of-home campaign to date, including major takeovers of Manhattan’s Union Square and Broadway-Lafayette subway stations and Toronto’s St. George Station.

Bringing New Creative Perspectives to Poshmark

Throughout Fashion Month, Poshmark is collaborating with a group of distinctive voices across fashion, entertainment, photography and culture to bring their perspectives on personal style and discovery to the campaign.

Chloe Fineman, Courtney Grow, Jalil Johnson, Nicky Campbell, Colleen Allen, Elissa Santisi and daughter Francesca Keller, photographer Tyler Joe, Jerry and Zachary Pozniak of Jeeves Dry Cleaners and Poshmark Chief Revenue Officer Elizabeth von der Goltz will participate in a social content series, each interpreting Try Yourself On through their own creative lens.

Several will also bring their individual taste directly to Poshmark through new Tastemaker curations, selecting and liking pieces they discover across the marketplace to create curated edits for shoppers. The initiative brings Poshmark closer to the creative community while giving buyers a new source of inspiration and a way to discover product through distinctive points of view on fashion and personal style.

Try Yourself On During New York Fashion Week

On Sunday, September 13, the campaign will come to life in New York City through the Poshmark Dry Cleaners, an interactive consumer activation in SoHo.

Transforming the familiar neighborhood dry cleaner into an unexpected fashion destination, the experience celebrates the idea that some of the most coveted pieces aren’t walking the runway – they’re already hanging in someone else’s closet.

Together, the campaign, creative collaborations and New York Fashion Week activation bring Try Yourself On to life, celebrating the possibilities of personal style and the millions of closets that make Poshmark unlike any other fashion marketplace.

Download hero campaign imagery here and additional imagery here.

Download hero campaign film here.

Courtesy of: Poshmark

For more information, visit Poshmark.com.

About Poshmark
Poshmark is the leading fashion marketplace where style comes alive through discovery, self-expression and human connection. Powered by a vibrant community of 165 million members, millions of individual closets and more than 700,000 new listings added daily, Poshmark offers an ever-changing universe of new and secondhand fashion spanning coveted designers, current trends, one-of-a-kind vintage and unexpected treasures. Poshmark is where people come to discover what’s next, express their personal style and make it their own – all while empowering sellers to grow meaningful businesses and keeping fashion in circulation longer. Go ahead, Try Yourself On™.

For more information please contact Poshmark@accentprojects.co.

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SOURCE Poshmark, Inc.

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FORMER OVERWATCH CHARACTER ART DIRECTOR ARNOLD TSANG LAUNCHES ORIGINAL MANGA AZUKI

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The free monthly series begins September 17 on Azuki.com alongside a cinematic launch trailer.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Azuki Labs today announced the launch of an all-new original manga AZUKI, created by acclaimed artist Arnold Tsang, former Character Art Director for Overwatch. The series premieres September 17 at 9:00 AM PDT and will be available to read free exclusively on Azuki.com, with new chapters releasing on the third Thursday of every month.

Launching alongside the first chapter is a cinematic trailer introducing readers to the world of AZUKI – a story of two sisters, ancient Gates, and a bond tested across worlds.

When Shao’s sister Rei disappears beyond the mysterious Gates, her search pulls her into a conflict that threatens both worlds. As long-buried secrets emerge, Shao must confront impossible choices that will test family bonds, trust, and destiny.

“Azuki was always meant to grow beyond any one format,” said Alex Q. Xu, CEO of Azuki Labs. “The manga is where the characters and world come together as a story. Arnold has spent years building toward this, and making it free means anyone can start with Chapter 1.”

Known for his work helping define the visual identity of Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch, Tsang brings his signature character-driven storytelling and dynamic artwork to his first original serialized manga.

“I’m incredibly excited to finally share this world with readers everywhere,” said Arnold Tsang. “AZUKI is a story I’ve wanted to tell for years, and as a life-long manga fan, manga was the medium I envisioned to bring these characters and this universe to life.”

The series marks another step in Azuki’s expansion into original entertainment, following the successful launch of its trading card game earlier this year. The company continues to build an interconnected universe across manga, games, collectibles, and future storytelling experiences.

The series made its world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, where attendees had the exclusive opportunity to read the first chapter ahead of its public launch on Azuki.com in September 2026. Tsang also appeared throughout the event for live drawing sessions and opportunities to meet fans.

Readers can begin the journey on September 17 at 9:00 AM PST by visiting Azuki.com, where every chapter will be available to read for free.

Read Chapter One: https://azuki.com (live September 17)

ABOUT THE CREATOR
Arnold Tsang is a celebrated figure in the world of visual storytelling and AZUKI is his first return to the comic medium since working on Udon’s Street Fighter series. As former Character Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment, Tsang was a foundational creative force behind Overwatch, shaping the design of its iconic hero roster and helping craft the rich world and lore surrounding them. With AZUKI, Tsang brings his signature mastery of character and world-building to manga for the first time, crafting an original universe of extraordinary depth and visual ambition.

ABOUT AZUKI
Azuki is an original anime-inspired storytelling universe built around an interconnected tapestry of characters, factions, and mysteries. Through manga, the Azuki TCG, collectibles, and future entertainment experiences, the world of Azuki unfolds across multiple mediums, each connecting new audiences to the stories within its expanding universe.

Designed for a global digital-first generation of fans, Azuki is building an enduring franchise defined by rich mythology, memorable characters, and expansive world-building.

For more information, visit https://www.azuki.com and follow on social media at:

Instagram: @azuki
Twitter: @azukimanga
YouTube: @azukientertainment

Press Contact:
Lee Meltzer
lee@leemeltzerconsulting.com

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SOURCE Azuki

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GeeLark Advances Cloud Phone Infrastructure for Scalable Social Media Operations

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Social media work is increasingly mobile-first. From publishing short-form video to managing content across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms, many everyday workflows still depend on native mobile apps.

For agencies, brands, and content teams managing multiple clients, campaigns, or regional operations, that creates a practical challenge: as mobile workloads grow, so does the number of Android environments a team needs to manage.

Traditionally, adding more mobile capacity meant adding more physical devices. Cloud phone technology offers a different approach by turning Android environments into remotely accessible, software-managed infrastructure.

The Hidden Cost of Managing More Physical Phones

Physical smartphones work well when a team only needs a few devices. At a larger scale, however, the work around those devices can become a burden of its own.

Teams need to purchase and replace hardware, keep devices charged, manage operating system and app updates, maintain network settings, provide remote access, and keep track of which device belongs to which client or project.

Large collections of physical smartphones are sometimes loosely described as a “phone farm,” but for legitimate social media teams, the more practical issue is often much simpler: every additional device adds another piece of hardware that needs to be stored, maintained, accessed, and organized.

The challenge is not the smartphone itself. It is the operational complexity that comes with managing physical hardware as mobile workloads grow.

Turning Android Devices Into Cloud-Managed Infrastructure

A cloud phone changes that model.

Instead of tying an Android environment to a physical phone sitting on a desk, a cloud phone runs remotely and can be accessed through a computer. Teams can create mobile environments when they need them, organize them by project, and manage them from a central workspace.

In this model, the Android environment becomes a software-managed resource rather than a piece of hardware that must always be physically available.

That distinction matters for distributed teams. A device no longer has to be passed from one employee to another or remain plugged in at a particular office. Team members can access the mobile environment remotely while keeping project resources organized in one place.

The shift is less about replacing smartphones entirely and more about giving businesses another way to manage mobile capacity.

How GeeLark Makes Cloud Phones Easier to Manage

GeeLark brings cloud phones into a centralized workspace designed for mobile-first social media operations.

Each GeeLark cloud phone operates as a separate Android environment with its own storage, app data, login sessions, and network configuration. This allows teams to keep different projects and mobile workflows organized without relying on a growing collection of physical devices.

Teams can also configure cloud phone environments based on project requirements, including Android versions, device models, language, location, and network or proxy settings.

For an agency managing different brands or regional campaigns, for example, cloud phone profiles can be grouped and organized by client or project. Access can be managed across team members, while the environments themselves remain available remotely through the same workspace.

This centralized approach makes it easier to answer basic operational questions that become harder as a team grows: Which environment belongs to which project? Who needs access to it? What configuration does it use? And how can the team manage more mobile workflows without adding the same amount of physical hardware?

From Remote Access to Automated Mobile Workflows

Moving Android environments to the cloud reduces hardware-management work. The next efficiency gain comes from reducing repetitive actions inside those environments.

GeeLark combines cloud phones with automation tools for mobile workflows. Teams can use ready-made automation templates for common tasks, build custom in-app workflows with RPA, or use APIs to connect cloud phones and automation tasks with their own internal systems.

For content teams, this can mean preparing content in advance, assigning workflows to different cloud phone environments, scheduling repetitive publishing tasks, and reviewing execution results without manually operating every device one by one.

For teams with more specialized processes, RPA provides a way to turn repeated Android app actions into reusable workflows. Technical teams can go further by using APIs to connect cloud phone operations with existing content systems, scheduling tools, scripts, or internal dashboards.

The result is a more flexible approach to mobile operations: instead of scaling workloads by continually adding physical devices and manual steps, teams can manage Android environments and repeatable workflows through software.

For agencies, brands, and other teams whose social media work depends heavily on mobile apps, cloud phones provide a practical way to reduce device-management overhead while keeping mobile workflows accessible, organized, and easier to scale.

About GeeLark

GeeLark provides cloud phone and automation tools for teams managing mobile-first social media workflows. Its platform combines cloud-based Android environments, team management, automation templates, RPA, and API capabilities in a single workspace.

Learn more about GeeLark and its cloud phone platform at GeeLark.com.

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SOURCE GeeLark

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