According to online reports, the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX) announced that it is preparing to list the first blockchain-based bond in the Middle East and North Africa region, which will be issued by First Bank of Abu Dhabi (FAB) using HSBC's digital asset issuance platform Orion. The bond will be recorded and traded on distributed ledger technology, and investors can buy and hold directly on the blockchain, which is expected to speed up settlement times, reduce counterparty risk and improve transparency. Global institutional investors can access the bond through major securities clearing systems, including Euroclear, Clearstream and Hong Kong's Central Money Market Units.