The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group has hosted the initial offering period (IOP) for a US-based ETF, followed by the cross-listing of the KraneShares Wahed Alternative Income Index ETF (KWIN).
This milestone underscores ADX’s continued innovation in expanding access to global investment products and enhancing market accessibility for investors. The IOP for the ETF attracted investors from more than 46 nationalities who subscribed through ADX’s website, demonstrating strong and diverse international demand.
This listing marks a significant milestone, as it becomes the first Shari’ah-compliant ETF cross-listed from the United States and the fourth ETF originating from the New York Stock Exchange to be listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). With this addition, the total ETF market capitalization on ADX has risen to nearly $7.36 billion (AED 27 billion).
Developed by KraneShares and Wahed Invest, the listing of KWIN brings the total number of ETFs on ADX to 23. This expansion reflects growing investor confidence in the exchange’s infrastructure, as well as the continued resilience and depth of the broader UAE capital market.
The ETF follows an options-based income generation strategy and tracks the Wahed Shariah Alternative Income Index. As of March 2026, the index comprised 306 holdings, including major global companies such as Amazon and Lululemon Athletica, the athletic apparel brand.
In addition, this marks the second ETF listing on ADX since the onset of recent regional geopolitical developments, following the KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AGIX). The continued pipeline of listings underscores the exchange’s ability to maintain momentum and sustain investor confidence even amid a shifting macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop.
ADX’s ETF segment has also continued its strong expansion into 2026. During the first quarter of 2026, ETF trading value reached approximately $42.24 million (AED 155 million), representing a sharp 228 percent year-on-year increase. This performance aligns with the broader market trend, where total trading value approached $24.52 billion (AED 90 billion), reflecting a 7.5 percent annual rise.
Institutional participation rose to 78 percent of total trading value, while foreign investors accounted for 47.5 percent, with transactions exceeding $23.14 billion (AED 85 billion), up 22 percent year on year, underscoring strong international engagement.
