Apex Group and ZIGChain Forge Strategic Alliance to Launch Tokenized Fund Infrastructure
Unveiled at an exclusive gathering in Dubai, the alliance brings together industry leaders in fund administration, tokenization compliance, asset management, and regulatory design. Its goal is to deliver a modular, Shariah-compliant infrastructure for launching and managing trillions in tokenized funds — deployed natively on ZIGChain and built to meet institutional standards.
This marks a major turning point in the institutional adoption of tokenized finance. By tokenizing entire fund structures rather than individual assets, blockchain integration becomes more operationally viable for large financial institutions. For Apex Group, this move reflects a clear strategic trajectory in Web3 infrastructure, following its acquisition of Tokeny and now expanding into fully on-chain fund ecosystems, where permitted in terms of the applicable regulatory frameworks.
'This is the institutional blueprint for unlocking the global fund market,' said Abdul Rafay Gadit, co-founder of ZIGChain. 'Apex Group's reach, Tokeny's compliance architecture, and Truleum's regulatory expertise — tied together on ZIGChain — form an institutional-grade foundation for a new era of on-chain capital markets. It's not every day that a pre-launch chain partners with one of the biggest financial institutions in the world. This is how tokenization goes mainstream, and we are honoured to help make it happen.'
Apex Group is a leading provider of fund administration, financial infrastructure, and regulatory services, with operations in over 50 countries and $3.4 trillion in assets under administration. Its subsidiary Tokeny — recently acquired by Apex Group — is the creator of ERC-3643, the leading global standard for permissioned digital securities.
'This alliance is a natural extension of Apex Group's mission to modernize fund infrastructure globally,' said Christiane El Habre, managing director at Apex Group – Middle East. 'We're proud to support this first-of-its-kind initiative and help drive compliant tokenization across new markets and asset classes.'
The alliance represents a long-term commitment to embedding tokenization into the global fund ecosystem. By enabling programmable, compliant fund structures with built-in regulatory guardrails, asset managers gain the tools to operate more efficiently, scale globally, and access new distribution channels in accordance with regulatory frameworks.
'Tokenization introduces a structural shift in fund management by enabling programmability, transparency, and near-instant settlement without compromising regulatory oversight. When implemented within a robust regulatory framework, it allows asset managers to launch compliant, modular funds with greater operational efficiency and global distribution potential. This alliance is a decisive step toward embedding these capabilities at an infrastructure level.' said Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, chairman of the Middle East Stablecoin Association (MESA) and member of the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority's Asset Management Industry Panel.
The alliance reflects a broader shift underway in institutional finance, where traditional asset managers are increasingly exploring blockchain-native infrastructure to modernize fund operations. With the global asset management industry reaching $128 trillion in assets under management, opens new tab in 2024, the opportunity for tokenized, programmable fund structures is significant, and rapidly gaining traction.
Zamanat, a founding member and native ZIGChain dApp, is currently pursuing over $3 billion in tokenized fund strategies to be executed through this framework. Additional institutions and service providers are in active discussions to join the alliance, signaling accelerating interest across the Middle East and beyond.
As momentum builds, ZIGChain is positioning itself as the default programmable settlement layer for compliant, institution-ready fund infrastructure, anchoring the next phase of growth in on-chain asset management.
About ZIGChain
ZIGChain is a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain designed to democratize access to investment opportunities, facilitate financial inclusion regardless of income level, technical skill, or geographic location. ZIGChain enables developers and institutions to launch scalable, compliant protocols for profit-sharing, fund tokenization, and real-world asset management.
Its ecosystem includes Zignaly,, opens new tab a licensed social investment platform connecting over 600,000 users with more than 150 professional portfolio managers. ZIGChain also supports Zamanat, the world's first Shariah-compliant real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform, combining ethical finance with programmable blockchain infrastructure.
For more information, visit zigchain.com, opens new tab.
About Apex Group
Apex Group is dedicated to driving positive change in financial services while supporting the growth and ambitions of asset managers, allocators, financial institutions, and family offices. Established in Bermuda in 2003, the Group has continually disrupted the industry through its investment in innovation and talent. Today, Apex Group sets the pace in fund and asset servicing and stands out for its unique single-source solution and unified cross asset-class platform which supports the entire value chain, harnesses leading innovative technology, and benefits from cross-jurisdictional expertise delivered by a long-standing management team and over 13,000 highly integrated professionals.
Apex Group leads the industry with a broad and unmatched range of services, including capital raising, business and corporate management, fund and investor administration, portfolio and investment administration, ESG, capital markets and transactions support. These services are tailored to each client and are delivered both at the Group level and via specialist subsidiary brands.
The Apex Foundation, a not-for-profit entity, is the Group's passionate commitment to empower sustainable change.
To learn more, visit www.apexgroup.com, opens new tab.
Media Contact
Isabel G., Luna PRisabel@lunapr.io
###
SOURCE: ZIGChain
Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
See release on EZ Newswire
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Fact check: Sharia law administrator job ad was for role with private employer
A widely shared post on social media claimed that 'the UK Government is hiring' while sharing a screenshot of a job advert for a 'Shariah law administrator'. Another post said that 'the role is for the Department of Work and Pensions' alongside a screenshot of the same webpage. Evaluation The advert was not for a Government job. The administrator was being hired using money a mosque said it had raised through donations. The job was advertised on a portal run by the Government, which is open to private employers to post on. The facts The Find a Job service was launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2018 as a replacement for Universal Jobmatch. It links thousands of employers with potential candidates. Employers who want to post on the site must be verified in order to ensure that the job adverts are genuine. They are also checked to make sure they meet minimum wage, accessibility and Welsh language rules. The Find a Job service is used to advertise both Government jobs and those offered by charity and private sector employers. This was the case with the job advert in the screenshot shared on social media. The – now deleted – role for a 'Shariah law administrator' was advertised by Manchester Community Centre. The job description says the successful candidate will 'provide all admin and secretarial work for Manchester Shariah Council'. Following online discussions about the job advert, the Islamic Centre Manchester released a statement on Facebook through the Didsbury Mosque on July 28. It said: 'This is not a government-funded post; the mosque pays for it out of community donations. The DWP advertises many jobs to help people obtain employment.' The statement added: 'We have withdrawn the job in question and have asked the DWP to remove it from its website. The job advert will be reworded to avoid future misunderstanding.' Data from the Charity Commission suggests that Manchester Community Centre has never received income from Government grants or contracts. The Islamic Centre (Manchester) received Government grants in the year ending September 2021 and September 2022, although nothing in the year ending September 2023 – which is the latest available data. The Manchester Community Centre, the Islamic Centre Manchester and the Didsbury Mosque all use the same address.
Finextra
3 days ago
- Finextra
Tabadulat receives in-principle approval from ADGM regulator
Tabadulat Limited (Tabadulat), a UAE-based Shariah-compliant investing platform registered with ADGM, the international financial centre of the UAE Capital Abu Dhabi, has received In-Principle Approval from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. The announcement follows the UAE cabinet's approval of its National Strategy for Islamic Finance and Halal Industry on 6 May. Under the plan, the UAE seeks to build a globally competitive national Islamic finance sector, facilitate its activities, and drive leadership in sustainable finance. Tabadulat, which is in the process of obtaining its Financial Services Permission, subject to FSRA's approval, has a committed investment of US$2.3 million. For years, Muslim investors have faced limited options when seeking truly halal investment opportunities in global markets, often relying on separate and expensive screening tools or niche local brokers. Through its advanced halal stock screener, Tabadulat will ensure that every transaction adheres to Islamic finance principles, filling a longstanding gap in halal investing. 'Tabadulat will not just be a trading platform but will be a movement. We will empower Muslim investors to invest globally without compromising their faith. Tabadulat will offer its clients control, transparency, and compliance in one seamless platform,' said Samy Mohamad, Co-founder of Tabadulat. Key features include: Global Market Access: Users will be able to invest in a wide range of international halal stocks across the US, Europe, GCC, Asia, and beyond. Advanced Halal Stock Screener: Every stock and ETF listed will be screened daily for Shariah compliance, allowing Muslim investors to instantly identify halal investments without relying on an external paid service. Ultra-low and Transparent Fees: Low transaction fees (starting at just 0.25%) with no hidden costs and absolutely no Riba, ensuring halal and cost-effective trades for retail investors. Advanced Portfolio Analytics: Cutting-edge tools, including a comprehensive Shariah report, at no additional cost. Built-in Zakat Calculator: Helping investors fulfill their religious obligations easily and accountant-free. With the global Islamic finance market estimated to reach US$7.5 trillion by 2028, Tabadulat's entry will come at a time of rising demand for accessible halal investing solutions. The company will adhere to the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) standards, the global benchmark in Islamic finance, and will be an Islamic financial business. 'Muslim investors may soon be able to trade halal stocks with peace of mind, knowing that every asset they invest in will be to the highest standards of Islamic finance,' says Ali Abdulkadir Ali, Co-founder of Tabadulat.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
BlackWood Ventures Announces Final Close of Debut Fund at More Than $25 Million to Back Europe's Next Generation of Founders
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 28, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- BlackWood Ventures, opens new tab, a network- and technology-driven early-stage fund focused on European founders, announces today the final close of its debut $25 million (USD) fund. Since its first close in April 2023, BlackWood has made 19 investments spanning nine countries, with a plan to build a portfolio of around 30 fintech, cleantech, and Web3 companies. 'Europe is not short on talent; it's short on conviction capital. That's the gap we're here to fill,' said Bastian Larsen, founder and CEO of BlackWood Ventures. 'We built BlackWood to be truly European in scope and disciplined in approach, seeing hundreds of opportunities each month and backing founders whose ambition and focus stand out.' Investments include: Matthew Ford, founder and CEO of Sidekick: "BlackWood backed us early last year and has been fantastic to work with. They invest with conviction and it's refreshing how fast and efficient they were throughout. Their fintech-experienced team has been hands-on at every turn and supported us throughout. Whether that's in fundraising processes, helping with sales, or general support and guidance. It's been a great partnership!" BlackWood's sourcing model combines a network of over 1,000 angel investors with systematic screening of hundreds of opportunities each month, increasingly supported by tech-enabled sourcing platforms. Frequent co-investments with leading firms such as LocalGlobe, Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Northzone, Octopus Ventures, Firstminute Capital, RTP Global, Giant Ventures, Norrsken and others demonstrate the fund's ability to identify and back high-quality opportunities. 'I continue to be impressed by the clarity of the strategy and intensity of execution this team has demonstrated,' said Steffen Saltofte, a limited partner and board member at BlackWood, and CEO of Zentiva, a multinational pharmaceutical company with more than 5,000 employees. 'BlackWood has built a strong European footprint, moves quickly, and is backing companies many Nordic VCs overlook due to geographic constraints. This ambition and focused execution is exactly what we aimed for with Fund I, and I'm excited to see it continue.' About BlackWood Ventures BlackWood Ventures is a network- and technology-driven early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Copenhagen with team members across Europe. The firm backs visionary fintech, cleantech, and Web3 founders from pre-seed to seed with a disciplined, pan-European approach. For more information, visit opens new tab. Media Contact Rasmus Holtrh@ ### SOURCE: BlackWood Ventures Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
