Cantor, a global investment bank under Cantor Fitzgerald, has received approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to carry out regulated financial activities in the centre.

The FSRA issued the approval through a Financial Services Permission (FSP).

The authorisation marks a step in Cantor’s expansion in the Middle East, following the opening of its Abu Dhabi office in December 2025.

“Establishing our presence in Abu Dhabi reflects Cantor’s long-term commitment to strategically important markets that are increasingly shaping global capital flows,”

said Sage Kelly, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Global Head of Investment Banking at Cantor.

“The Middle East continues to experience strong economic momentum, rising investment activity and significant institutional capital formation.”

Led by Ali Khalpey, Head of Middle East, Investment Banking & Capital Markets, Cantor’s Abu Dhabi office will serve as a regional hub for the firm’s investment banking and capital markets activities.

Cantor currently operates two dedicated teams in the region: an Equities platform with full sales, trading and research capabilities serving sovereign wealth funds and local, regional and global institutional investors active across the Middle East; and an Investment Banking team focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets advisory.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said:

“Cantor’s decision reflects growing demand among global financial institutions to access investment opportunities across the Gulf and broader Middle East.”

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