Ledger adds native $ADI support for the UAE-backed L2 network. The $30M DDSC stablecoin transaction and institutional partnerships shape the thesis.
Ledger has added native support for the $ADI token, the utility token of the Abu Dhabi-linked Layer 2 network ADI Chain. The integration covers send and receive functionality, giving holders access to self-custody through one of crypto's most widely used hardware wallet platforms.
ADI Chain, an Ethereum Layer 2 built by the ADI Foundation, focuses on stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. The network launched on December 9, 2025, and has since assembled a roster of partners including Chainlink, Crypto.com, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. The network was developed using zkSync's zkStack technology, which employs GPU-accelerated zero-knowledge proofs designed for high-throughput institutional transactions while keeping data private and verifiable.
The network is backed by Sirius International Holding, an Abu Dhabi-based entity that operates as a subsidiary of International Holding Company.
Ledger's support removes a friction point for the $ADI token. Institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals often require cold storage before committing capital to a new chain. Without native Ledger integration, holding $ADI meant using a software wallet or an exchange, both of which carry different risk profiles.
Key insight: The integration signals that ADI Chain's infrastructure now meets a baseline security requirement that regulated asset managers expect. Self-custody via Ledger reduces execution risk for large holders who cannot justify holding material amounts of $ADI on a hot wallet or a centralized platform.
DDSC, a dirham-backed stablecoin, launched on ADI Chain in February 2026 after receiving approval from the Central Bank of the UAE. The stablecoin has already processed a $30 million transaction as of May 2026. For context, most new regulated stablecoins trade in small pilot volumes before scaling.
First Abu Dhabi Bank, the UAE's largest bank by assets, is involved with the DDSC ecosystem. That relationship matters because banks are the primary distribution channel for regulated stablecoins in the region. Direct bank integration reduces the trust gap for institutions that would otherwise need to verify collateral independently.
A second stablecoin, PUSD, deployed in April 2026, adds another layer of utility. Two stablecoins on the same L2 network create a broader set of settlement options, particularly for cross-border payments and treasury operations – both stated use cases for ADI Chain.
The sequence of partnerships – Chainlink for oracles in March 2026, Crypto.com for listings in December 2025, and now Ledger for self-custody – forms a pattern of infrastructure build-out. The network is not relying on a single integration to drive adoption.
Practical rule: For a tokenized-asset L2, confirmation comes from three signals:
Each of these signals moves $ADI's value proposition from ambition to adoption. The network's stated goal of one billion users by 2030 is a long-range target. The near-term question is whether the stablecoin ecosystem reaches a critical mass of daily active wallets.
The main risk is adoption velocity. A single $30 million transaction is not a trend. If the next six months produce only negligible volume growth, the token's price will reflect that absence of network revenue.
Risk to watch: Regulatory silos. The UAE's central bank approval is a strong signal. The network has no equivalent authorization from other major jurisdictions. Tokenized real-world assets and stablecoins require regulatory clarity in target markets. If ADI Chain remains primarily a UAE play, its total addressable market stays small relative to global L2 networks.
Competition from other regulated stablecoin L2s is another risk. Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism already host stablecoins with higher liquidity. ADI Chain's differentiation is its UAE regulatory hook and bank partnerships. That differentiation narrows if a rival L2 also secures a central bank approval.
The next concrete marker is the First Abu Dhabi Bank integration timeline. If the bank begins offering DDSC-based transfers or treasury services to its corporate clients, volume could accelerate quickly. A public announcement with a launch date would be the strongest confirmation signal available.
Crypto.com listing coverage is also worth tracking. Exchange liquidity supports price discovery for $ADI. The token's utility depends more on network usage than trading volume. Stablecoin transaction fees on the L2 accrue to the network and could eventually support token value via buyback or staking mechanisms. No such mechanism has been announced yet.
For a deeper look at how regulated stablecoins are reshaping institutional crypto flows, see our broader crypto market analysis. The ADI Chain case is a specific example of a broader trend: tokenized assets backed by traditional bank rails and central bank approvals.
The integration with Ledger is a necessary step, not a sufficient one. Self-custody infrastructure solves one problem. The real test is whether the stablecoins on ADI Chain see repeated, growing usage from counterparties that have real settlement needs.
Prepared with AlphaScala research tooling and grounded in primary market data: live prices, fundamentals, SEC filings, hedge-fund holdings, and insider activity. Each story is checked against AlphaScala publishing rules before release. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.