UAE wealthy class ramps up cryptocurrency, AI bets

Wealth-holding families in the UAE are moving decisively into the realms of digital assets and artificial intelligence, underscoring the country’s position as one of the world’s most advanced hubs for tech-driven wealth management, a new study from Standard Chartered Global Private Bank reveals.

- Issac John [e-mail]

The report, conducted among more than 300 ultrahigh-net-worth (UHNW) families and advisers across global wealth centres, shows that 71 per cent of UAE families believe they should strategically invest in digital assets—including cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens and tokenised traditional assets—versus 69 per cent globally. Meanwhile, 75 per cent of UAE respondents say they trust AI tools to support wealth decisions, provided that human advisers remain part of the major judgment calls; this compares with 70 per cent globally.