ADGM introduces new position Director of New Age Finance
ADGM in Abu Dhabi has introduced a new position within its operations, Christoph Richter noted on LinkedIn that he is now starting as Director of New Age Finance at ADGM.
For those not familiar with the term, New Age Finance refers to the rapid digitization and evolution of financial services, characterized by AI-driven, tech-centric, and decentralized models that prioritize accessibility, speed, and efficiency over traditional banking methods. Key elements include neobanks, tokenization, blockchain, and customized digital platforms.
He explains that this is part of ADGM’s intention to set the global benchmark for digital asset regulations, within a trusted forward thinking English common law digital asset ecosystem.
Richter will lead the digital asset and AI ( Artificial Intelligence) Business development, and deepen institutional participation across the region, with large international digital asset institutions that are looking to relocate their HQs to Abu Dhabi.
He brings nearly two decades of TradFi derivatives experience, including senior roles at JP Morgan, Barclays, BNP Paribas, and UBS. In his most recent TradFi role, he led derivative solutions for Southern Europe and DACH at MUFG. Since entering the digital asset industry in 2017, he has advised top-tier firms and co-founded the proprietary BTC & ETH trading venture Vol Capital, building market neutral quantitative investment strategies.
Richter previously worked for Figment, an independent provider of staking infrastructure. Figment had $17 billion assets under stake, and offered complete staking solution for over 1000 institutional clients including asset managers, exchanges, wallets, foundations, custodians, and large token holders, to earn rewards on their digital assets. It is also one of the largest non-custodial staking provider of staked Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL).
He was appointed back in June 2025 as Figment entered the MENA region and its partnership with UAE Tungsten.
ADGM recently licensed Binance’s three distinct entities, as well as became the home of ADI Foundation which is working with governmental entities and enterprises to support DLT projects in various domains, including stablecoin issuance.
In parrallel ADGM is establishing itself as a premier global hub for AI in finance and commerce, fostering a secure ecosystem through progressive regulations, with partnerships with MBZUAI, Hub71, Bitgirt, and others.
Firms deploying AI for services such as robo-advisory, algorithmic trading, or underwriting are subject to the same risk-based regulatory scrutiny as any other financial activity.
“Our mission is simple yet transformative: Integrate AI across every touchpoint, from client portals to regulatory insights, to make ADGM more efficient, more responsive, and more forward-looking. We’re not waiting for the future to arrive; through our Emerging Technologies and internal pilots, we’re building it today,” says Salem Mohammed Al Darei, CEO of ADGM Authority.
Central to this coordinated approach is the RA’s Emerging Technologies Section, which serves as the dedicated gateway for non-financial technology firms entering ADGM. This specialized unit, complementing FSRA’s fintech oversight, ensures that companies working with AI, quantum computing, IoT, and other frontier technologies receive tailored regulatory support from day one.
