Key Takeaways
- • Hashed, a Seoul-based global web3 venture capital firm established in 2017, has secured regulatory approval to expand operations to Abu Dhabi and establish a local office as part of its international growth strategy.
- • Hashed partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to co-host the Web3 Leaders Roundtable at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, positioning itself as a key player in the Middle East's emerging digital asset hub.
- • The firm is pursuing fundraising opportunities in Abu Dhabi while establishing a partnership with Hub71, the emirate's global technology ecosystem platform, to strengthen its regional presence.
- • Hashed Open Finance unveiled "Maroo," a sovereign Layer 1 blockchain designed for stablecoin-denominated transactions in Korean won, with plans to expand to other fiat currencies—lowering user barriers by allowing transaction fees paid in won stablecoins rather than separate virtual assets.
- • The expansion reflects Hashed's strategy to mitigate domestic market challenges in South Korea while capitalizing on Abu Dhabi's progressive digital asset regulatory framework and position as a leading Middle Eastern financial hub.
Summary
Hashed, a global blockchain-focused venture capital firm headquartered in Seoul and founded in 2017, has obtained regulatory permission to establish operations in Abu Dhabi as part of a broader international expansion strategy. The firm, which specializes in investment and research across global blockchain startups and decentralized protocols, announced plans to open a local office in the UAE capital while exploring fundraising opportunities within the emirate. According to Hashed CEO Simon Kim, the Abu Dhabi expansion is designed to serve as a geographic bridgehead for the firm's global web3 initiatives while mitigating the effects of domestic market challenges in South Korea.
The expansion coincides with Hashed's elevated role in the region's digital finance infrastructure. The firm partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial free-trade zone, to co-host the Web3 Leaders Roundtable at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, held on April 10. The roundtable focused on two primary themes: "2030 Digital Infrastructure—AI, Web3, Convergence of Real World Systems" and "Introduction and Regulation of Digital Assets by Institutions," attracting top officials from major global financial companies, regulators, web3 firms, and policy leaders. Following the event, ADGM and Hashed published a joint policy report addressing institutional adoption of digital assets, including stablecoins, and the harmonization of global financial infrastructure innovation with regulatory frameworks. Additionally, Hashed established a partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global technology ecosystem hub, reinforcing its commitment to the region.
In a complementary initiative, Hashed Open Finance—a subsidiary focused on commercializing blockchain-based financial products—unveiled "Maroo," a sovereign Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for won-denominated stablecoin transactions. Announced in January 2026, Maroo addresses a critical gap in usability by allowing transaction fees to be paid in won stablecoins rather than separate virtual assets, significantly lowering barriers to user adoption. The blockchain incorporates regulatory compliance, auditability, and privacy protections required by financial institutions while maintaining public blockchain openness and scalability. Maroo's initial focus targets the Korean won economy, with plans to expand to additional fiat currencies based on evolving regulatory environments. According to Kim Seo-joon, CEO of Hashed, stablecoins are emerging as critical infrastructure in global financial markets, positioning the firm's portfolio companies to capitalize on institutional adoption trends.
The expansion coincides with Hashed's elevated role in the region's digital finance infrastructure. The firm partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial free-trade zone, to co-host the Web3 Leaders Roundtable at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, held on April 10. The roundtable focused on two primary themes: "2030 Digital Infrastructure—AI, Web3, Convergence of Real World Systems" and "Introduction and Regulation of Digital Assets by Institutions," attracting top officials from major global financial companies, regulators, web3 firms, and policy leaders. Following the event, ADGM and Hashed published a joint policy report addressing institutional adoption of digital assets, including stablecoins, and the harmonization of global financial infrastructure innovation with regulatory frameworks. Additionally, Hashed established a partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global technology ecosystem hub, reinforcing its commitment to the region.
In a complementary initiative, Hashed Open Finance—a subsidiary focused on commercializing blockchain-based financial products—unveiled "Maroo," a sovereign Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for won-denominated stablecoin transactions. Announced in January 2026, Maroo addresses a critical gap in usability by allowing transaction fees to be paid in won stablecoins rather than separate virtual assets, significantly lowering barriers to user adoption. The blockchain incorporates regulatory compliance, auditability, and privacy protections required by financial institutions while maintaining public blockchain openness and scalability. Maroo's initial focus targets the Korean won economy, with plans to expand to additional fiat currencies based on evolving regulatory environments. According to Kim Seo-joon, CEO of Hashed, stablecoins are emerging as critical infrastructure in global financial markets, positioning the firm's portfolio companies to capitalize on institutional adoption trends.
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