Aptos Foundation is opening a regional office in Abu Dhabi in a bid to foster partnerships and support projects focused on the Aptos ecosystem.

Aptos Foundation, the organization behind the Aptos (APT) blockchain, is opening a regional office in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Dhabi Global Market, marking its first expansion into the Middle East.

In a press release on Dec. 11, the foundation said the move reflects the UAE‘s rising status as a global hub for blockchain innovation, adding that the UAE “has cultivated an environment that attracts visionary institutions and builders.”

The new office will serve as a hub for the foundation’s activities in the region, focusing on partnerships and projects aimed at expanding the Aptos ecosystem. Bashar Lazaar, head of growth and ecosystems at Aptos Foundation, said that with the office, the project wants to be “at the forefront of that movement and help it grow as quickly as possible.”

“This opening provides a unique opportunity for our team to learn from and connect on the ground with cutting-edge builders, institutions, and investors pushing the boundaries every day.”

Bashar Lazaar

ADGM, an international financial center with a growing reputation as a blockchain-friendly environment, has actively attracted technology companies through its regulatory framework and ecosystem. Aptos is not the only blockchain firm establishing a presence in the region, as other big names in the web3 space, including Binance and Blockdaemon, have also expanded into Abu Dhabi​.

The UAE has become a magnet for high-growth developers and global institutions, with initiatives like the ADGM ecosystem designed to support blockchain-focused companies. In early November, a research report by Coincub and Blockpit revealed that the UAE remains an attractive destination for crypto investors, with no personal income or capital gains tax on cryptocurrency gains for individuals. Similarly, Switzerland positions itself as a tax haven, offering zero personal income and capital gains tax on crypto gains.