Lunate, a UAE-based global alternative investment manager with $110 billion in assets under management (AUM), has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Brevan Howard, one of the most prominent hedge fund managers worldwide with $34 billion AUM. The collaboration will establish a new investment platform domiciled in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), pending regulatory approval, and will include funds dedicated to macro strategies and digital assets.
As part of the agreement, Lunate has committed $2 billion to launch exclusive funds with Brevan Howard, leveraging its significant capital base alongside the hedge fund’s track record in investment management. Over time, additional capital is expected to be raised from local and international investors. This partnership also includes Lunate acquiring a minority stake in Brevan Howard, signaling its entry into the hedge fund space while expanding its investment offerings for clients across the GCC and global markets. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Managing Partner at Lunate, highlighted that this move reflects the firm’s mission to collaborate with established global investment leaders and deliver diversified strategies to its clients.
Brevan Howard, founded by billionaire investor Alan Howard, has already built a strong presence in the UAE. Its ADGM office, established in early 2023, has grown to become its largest globally by assets managed, employing more than 100 staff members. A significant portion of Brevan Howard’s crypto trading, estimated at around $2 billion of its $30+ billion total strategies, is executed from the UAE. The firm attributes this growth to the country’s pragmatic regulatory environment, which has allowed financial institutions to scale operations in both traditional and digital markets.
Brevan Howard Digital, the firm’s digital assets arm, has also been active in the region. Earlier this year, it committed $20 million to Kinto, a blockchain-based DeFi platform developed for financial institutions, further demonstrating its focus on regulated on-chain finance. This investment complements its growing portfolio of digital initiatives, reinforcing its position as a key player in the evolution of financial technology within the region. Alan Howard welcomed the agreement with Lunate, noting that the long-term partnership underscores Brevan Howard’s deep and ongoing commitment to Abu Dhabi and the wider Middle East.
The collaboration between Lunate and Brevan Howard is expected to provide a significant boost to the financial ecosystem in the UAE, combining capital, expertise, and innovative strategies to support the growing demand for macro and digital asset funds. It also reflects a broader trend of international hedge funds deepening their footprint in the GCC, leveraging the region’s favorable business climate and forward-looking regulatory frameworks.
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