.png){kind=logo}
Standard Chartered Global Private Bank’s latest research shows that ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families in the United Arab Emirates now rank among the world’s most active adopters of artificial intelligence and digital assets in wealth management.
The study, titled “The Great Repositioning,” surveyed over 300 UHNW families and advisers across major wealth hubs, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the UAE, India, Africa, and London.
Key findings show that 71% of the UAE families believe strategic investment in digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and tokenised traditional assets, is essential. This slightly outpaces the global average of 69%. Additionally, 75% of these families trust AI-based tools to support wealth-management decisions provided that human advisers stay in the loop. Globally, the figure is around 70%.
The way UAE families are combining innovation with strong governance is noteworthy. For example, 96% of UAE respondents say they regularly review and optimize their family-office governance frameworks, compared to 94% global respondents. The same 96% also confirm that they prefer formal conflict-resolution processes, compared with the global average of 92%.
Generational transition and broadening of strategic outlook also surface in the data. More than 67% of UAE family offices report active or extensive involvement of younger successors in wealth and investment decisions. Philanthropy remains key, with 88% of respondents favouring contributions to national or international causes (versus 80% globally) and 92% reporting full family alignment on philanthropic priorities (versus 83 % globally).
On cross-border succession planning, 92% believe better structuring could save many millions in inheritance transitions, above the global average of 83%.
The new report highlights that the UAE is moving towards becoming a world centre for technology-based wealth management. The family offices in this country are seeing digital currencies and artificial intelligence as key components of a wealth management ecosystem that is more interconnected, productive, and robust, rather than as speculative tools.
These trends reflect how the UAE is positioning itself in the digital wealth space. UNHW families are integrating digital-asset diversification and AI-enabled decision tools while holding firm to governance, inter-generational involvement, and long-term purpose. That dual focus on innovation and structure gives the region an edge.
In short, UAE families are leading in wealth-strategy change. They are adopting digital assets and artificial intelligence at a faster rate and layering in governance and family alignment. This sets a new benchmark for global wealth management in an age defined by technology and change.
Also Read – Solmate Launches First Solana Validator in UAE to Power Blockchain Growth
