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That\u2019s according to a Thursday (Dec. 18)\u00a0announcement<\/a> from\u00a0ADI Foundation<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi-based non-profit founded with the goal of \u201cempowering governments and institutions in emerging markets\u201d via blockchain infrastructure.<\/p>\n In the case of BlackRock, the asset manager has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ADI to explore accelerating blockchain adoption across financial markets and bolster the United Arab Emirates\u2019 status as a world digital asset hub.<\/p>\n \u201cThe partnership targets institution-grade tokenized asset structures, improved distribution, and clear regulatory frameworks that support market growth,\u201d ADI said.<\/p>\n The Mastercard collaboration is centered on blockchain-based payments and asset tokenization throughout the Middle East, and \u201cbrings stablecoin settlement, cross-border payments, and digital asset rails to the region with regulatory alignment built in.\u201d<\/p>\n And investment firm Franklin Templeton signed its MoU with the ADI Foundation to explore regulated digital asset infrastructure within Abu Dhabi Global Market. This effort \u201cfocuses on building compliant pathways for institutions to create and launch tokenized products.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement: Scroll to Continue<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It also explores creating digital rails for improved distribution and settlement, along with research into stablecoins and tokenized assets that are in keeping with regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n \u201cThree global institutions partnering within days of launch signal what they need: a blockchain built for regulatory frameworks,\u201d ADI said.<\/p>\n \u201cThese partnerships expand the ADI Foundation\u2019s influence, reach, and capabilities, bringing more projects into the ecosystem as enterprises discover ADI Chain through BlackRock, Mastercard, Franklin Templeton, and expanding institutional networks.\u201d<\/p>\n In other blockchain news, PYMNTS wrote last week about the increasing presence of\u00a0\u201cmainstream incumbents<\/a>\u201d\u00a0in this space, following a wave of crypto announcements from globally recognized names such as\u00a0YouTube<\/a>,\u00a0BMW<\/a>,\u00a0HSBC<\/a>,\u00a0JPMorgan<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency<\/a>.<\/p>\n Put together, the report added, those announcements signal where digital assets are gaining traction. They share a common thread:\u00a0 settlement, rather than speculation or consumer hype.<\/p>\n