DMCC signs strategic MoU with aqua-index to support first water-backed digital token

Partnership positions DMCC and Dubai as global leaders in sustainable water resource management and transparent water trading infrastructure
Collaboration accelerates establishment of DMCC Water Centre and Dubai as a central, neutral hub for water trading and innovation
Dubai, UAE: DMCC, the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AQUA-INDEX, a global pioneer in water commodities trading. This landmark collaboration supports AQUA-INDEX's initiative to launch the world's first digital asset token backed directly by freshwater resources, revolutionising how water is traded, valued, and managed globally.
The token – the first of its kind globally – is backed by verified, drinking-quality water stored in global reservoirs and will enable investors, hedgers, traders and the general public to trade, hold and take delivery of fresh water as a commodity. By combining financial innovation with water market expertise, the partnership offers a practical mechanism for unlocking new liquidity and transparency in global water supply chains.
Under the partnership, AQUA-INDEX will benefit from DMCC's extensive global network, world-class services, advanced infrastructure, and leading commodity marketplace, facilitating the effective trading and investment in water assets. AQUA-INDEX will enhance the availability and exchange of knowledge around global water usage and pricing and provide access to essential trading and hedging products for DMCC and its member companies. DMCC will not directly own or manage the token itself.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: 'Nearly half the global population experiences water scarcity for at least part of the year, yet water remains the only critical resource without a mature, regulated market. We are proud to partner with AQUA-INDEX to drive a transparent, neutral, and legally coherent structure and marketplace for water to secure the future of a resource that has long been undervalued. This is the next clear milestone in the formation of DMCC Water Centre, where we will not only bring the conversation of water to the forefront, but also attract the sector's leading companies to create a global centre in Dubai for water innovation, security, sustainable best practice, knowledge and education, while ensuring that the world's most transported commodity has the ability to reach water distressed areas.'
Yaacov Shirazi, Chairman and Founder of AQUA INDEX, said: 'Pricing water by the value of its usage, standardisation of water by its mineral content and quality, and turning water to a new asset class for a financial trading, is a gamechanger in the world economy. It will establish new levels of water management which prevents scarcity, contamination, and lack of access. Water as a collateral will have a significant monetary impact enabling countries and municipalities to increase infrastructure capabilities. AQUA-INDEX, with a new initiative of tokenized water resources, presents the validation of the concept. The collaboration of AQUA-INDEX's patented innovations with the DMCC Water Centre will ensure a leading breakthrough in water ecosystems.'
The announcement forms part of DMCC's ongoing efforts to establish the DMCC Water Centre, a dedicated ecosystem for the global water industry that positions Dubai as a central, neutral hub for water trading and innovation. The Water Centre brings together WaterTech innovators, logistics providers and commodity traders under one platform. The introduction of a water-backed token forms a key pillar of DMCC's Water Centre strategy, offering new tools for hedging risk, improving allocation and financing critical infrastructure across water-stressed regions.
Further details on the token's trading mechanism, delivery points and relevant regulatory frameworks will be announced in due course.
Media Enquiries:
DMCC
PR & Corporate Communications
pr@dmcc.ae

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