Chris Rokos’ hedge fund is pushing ahead with its Middle East expansion after securing regulatory approval to open in Abu Dhabi, according to Bloomberg.
Rokos Capital Management, which manages around $22bn, has been granted a full licence by Abu Dhabi Global Market and is setting up in Sky Tower as it builds out its regional presence.
Global hedge funds are increasingly establishing a footprint in the UAE, as both Abu Dhabi and Dubai position themselves as key hubs for capital and talent. Firms including Brevan Howard, Marshall Wace, and Man Group have expanded in Abu Dhabi, while others like Balyasny and Hudson Bay are operating across both emirates.
Despite geopolitical uncertainty in the region, momentum hasn’t slowed. Citadel recently received approval to operate in Dubai, underlining continued demand from top-tier managers.
The appeal is clear: deep pools of capital and access to major allocators. Abu Dhabi alone is home to ADIA, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, while Dubai hosts a rapidly growing network of family offices managing over $1tn.
Rokos’ expansion is another signal that the centre of gravity in hedge funds continues to shift.