Ep 43: Building a Fintech Ecosystem | Gabrielle Inzirillo, Head of Ecosystem Development at Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)

Apr 25, 2023

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In this episode of Couchonomics, Arjun speaks with Gabrielle Inzirillo, Head of Ecosystem Development at Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), about building a fintech ecosystem in the UAE and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

Gabrielle previously managed a venture capital firm's EMEA fintech division, investing in early-stage startups and leading portfolio value creation. She also executed on the fintech strategy at Citi and built new financial models at Bloomberg. Gabrielle holds an M.Phil. in Technology Policy from the University of Cambridge and regularly delivers keynote sessions and panels at leading international conferences.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is an international financial center and free zone located on Al Maryah Island in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. It has three authorities – the financial services regulator, the registration bureau, and the ADGM courts.

Gabrielle oversees the Ecosystem Development function within the FSRA of ADGM, informing its fintech and digital asset strategy through industry engagements and public consultations.

Gabrielle speaks about ADGM's ambitions for the Abu Dhabi economy and how founders can navigate the regulatory landscape of the UAE. She discusses ADGM's clientele, including some of the biggest sovereign wealth funds and fund managers in the world, and how its regulatory regime is calibrated for a highly sophisticated investor base. Gabrielle also talks about the virtual asset regulatory regime in place since 2018 and its importance for ADGM's funds.