Dubai Future Finance Week 2026 Highlights Family Wealth and Tokenised Finance
Meanwhile, the Dubai Family Wealth Summit and Future Tokenisation Forum brought together investors, regulators, financial institutions and technology leaders. Both events examined how evolving financial structures could strengthen wealth preservation and support emerging digital markets.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the programme explored two priorities. These included protecting family wealth across generations and developing trusted infrastructure for tokenised financial assets.
Additionally, the Investment Leaders Exchange examined institutional asset allocation, cross-border investment risks and the growing role of digital assets.
Dubai Family Wealth Summit Focuses on Succession and Next-Generation Leadership
The Dubai Family Wealth Summit highlighted the growing importance of succession planning, corporate governance and responsible wealth management.
The event brought together family business leaders, family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and next-generation investors. Discussions explored wealth structuring, regulatory developments, emerging technologies and sustainable investment strategies.
Moreover, participants examined how family enterprises can maintain financial stability while adapting to changing global economic conditions.
The summit also addressed philanthropy, impact investing and responsible capital stewardship. These discussions reflected the UAE’s Year of Family and its emphasis on long-term family stability.
Notably, speakers highlighted that successful wealth preservation extends beyond managing financial assets. Strong leadership, family unity, effective governance and business continuity remain equally important.
Prominent participants included Hussain Sajwani, Chairman of DAMAC Group, and Halima Dangote of Dangote Industries Limited.
Additionally, Maurice Gravier, Group Chief Investment Officer for Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, joined the discussions.
Other speakers included Dr. Shanu S.P. Hinduja, Shehab Gargash and Osama Ibrahim Seddiqi, representing leading family enterprises and financial institutions.
During the summit, DIFC announced its 2027 NextGen Internship Programme to prepare future leaders of family businesses.
Building on the inaugural NextGen leadership programme, the initiative will offer practical industry experience within DIFC-based companies.
Participants will gain exposure to financial services, auditing, consultancy, legal services and business support operations. Furthermore, opportunities will extend to artificial intelligence, FinTech and emerging technologies.
The programme responds to significant changes in global wealth ownership and intergenerational transfers.
According to estimates cited during the event, approximately USD 18.3 trillion in wealth could transfer globally by 2030.
Consequently, developing leadership capabilities and financial expertise among younger generations has become increasingly important.
Through the internship initiative, Dubai aims to strengthen future family enterprise leadership and support responsible wealth transitions.
Future Tokenisation Forum Examines Digital Asset Regulation and Market Infrastructure
Alongside family wealth discussions, the Future Tokenisation Forum explored the transition from experimental blockchain applications to scalable financial infrastructure.
Mark Steward, Chief Executive of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), opened the forum.
The event brought together regulators, institutional investors, financial institutions and technology providers to examine the future of tokenised markets.
In particular, discussions focused on digital settlement systems, institutional custody, programmable infrastructure and regulatory compliance.
Participants also examined legal certainty, cross-border interoperability and the integration of traditional financial services with Web3 technologies.
Furthermore, the forum highlighted the importance of trusted infrastructure for institutional adoption of tokenised assets.
During the event, the DFSA published its report, Scaling Tokenisation: The Road Ahead.
The publication includes perspectives from financial industry participants, including BlackRock, Ripple, Robinhood, Soter Insure and Standard Chartered.
It examines how tokenisation could evolve across financial products, payments and market infrastructure.
Additionally, the report identifies regulatory, legal and operational considerations that could influence wider adoption.
Rather than predicting a single outcome, the research explores different market perspectives and areas requiring further cooperation.
Mark Steward, Chief Executive of the DFSA, said:
“Our new DFSA report, Scaling Tokenisation: The Road Ahead, brings together perspectives and insights from leading market practitioners across the financial services ecosystem. As tokenisation moves into live use across financial products, payments, and market infrastructure, important questions about what is needed for tokenised markets to thrive and achieve scale responsibly need to be addressed. We hope this white paper will stimulate further discussion among industry, investors, regulators, and policymakers about the road ahead.”
Meanwhile, the DIFC Courts introduced a separate white paper addressing legal disputes involving blockchain-based assets.
Developed alongside DIFC Innovation Hub, DECA4 Advisory and industry partners, the proposal outlines a potential global dispute resolution standard.
At its centre is the Dispute Resolution Oracle (DRO), an optional mechanism connecting blockchain smart contracts with recognised dispute resolution authorities.
Currently, courts can determine legal ownership of digital assets. However, enforcing those decisions directly through blockchain systems presents additional challenges.
The proposed framework aims to bridge this gap by linking legal decisions with on-chain enforcement.
Under the model, parties could select their preferred dispute resolution forum before entering a transaction.
Additionally, the system could preserve disputed assets while authorities review claims and determine outcomes.
Once a final decision emerges, the framework would enable enforcement through the relevant blockchain infrastructure.
Importantly, human judges, arbitrators, mediators and experts would continue making legal decisions outside the blockchain.
The proposed safeguards include limited asset freezes, early reviews, reasoned decisions and appeal rights.
Furthermore, the initiative seeks to establish an open international standard rather than a solution limited to one jurisdiction.
The forum also featured senior representatives from BNY Mellon, the Central Bank of the UAE and international financial regulators.
Speakers included Glen Fernandes of BNY Mellon, Paul Kayrouz of the Central Bank of the UAE and William Mason of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
Additionally, Amna Al Owais of DIFC Courts and Michail Fekkas of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission participated.
Other contributors included Nigerian Senator Osita Izunaso and representatives from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
Together, these discussions highlighted the legal, technological and regulatory foundations needed for trusted digital asset markets.
Investment Leaders Exchange Explores Long-Term Capital and Digital Assets
Beyond family wealth and tokenisation, the Investment Leaders Exchange examined changing institutional investment strategies.
The gathering brought together sovereign wealth funds, institutional capital allocators and family office principals.
Participants explored long-term asset allocation, international investment opportunities and cross-border risk management.
Moreover, discussions considered how digital assets could complement traditional investments within diversified institutional portfolios.
The exchange also highlighted the challenges of balancing innovation with financial stability and responsible investment practices.
Meanwhile, the broader Dubai Future Finance Week programme reinforced Dubai’s growing role in connecting global capital with emerging financial technologies.
The combination of family wealth governance and digital market infrastructure reflects changing priorities across the financial services industry.
As investors prepare for generational wealth transfers, financial institutions are also exploring new methods of asset ownership, settlement and distribution.
Consequently, regulatory clarity, technological reliability and institutional cooperation will remain central to the development of tokenised finance.
Dubai Future Finance Week continues through 6 November 2026, bringing together global financial leaders, policymakers and investors.
Through initiatives covering family enterprise leadership, blockchain regulation and institutional investment, Dubai is strengthening its position as an international financial centre.
For further information, visit Dubai Future Finance Week.
