Zamanat Launches $100M Tokenized Private Credit Fund to Close GCC SME Financing Gap

Quick Summary

Zamanat is addressing the $250 billion SME financing gap in the GCC by launching a $100 million tokenized private credit fund. This DIFC-domiciled vehicle utilizes ZIGChain technology to provide professional investors with regulated access to Shariah-aligned digital assets, bridging the gap between institutional capital and underserved regional businesses.

How Does Zamanat Solve the GCC SME Financing Gap?

Tokenized private credit serves as the primary mechanism to funnel capital into a region where only 11 percent of SMEs currently have access to traditional bank lending. Despite SMEs generating over half of the UAE's GDP, they receive less than 10 percent of total bank lending, creating a massive structural imbalance. Zamanat’s new fund targets a $100 million size to provide growth capital to homegrown companies with sound fundamentals that are overlooked by legacy banks.

• $250 billion gap in SME financing across the GCC region.
• 11% of SMEs currently have access to credit facilities.
• $100 million target for the initial tokenized private credit fund.

What Role Does Blockchain Play in Islamic Finance?

By issuing interests as ZM1 Investment Tokens on the ZIGChain Layer 1 blockchain, Zamanat introduces a blockchain-native ownership layer within a strictly regulated framework. This approach allows for fractional ownership and digital distribution of assets that were previously difficult to access, such as private credit, real estate, and sukuk. The tokenized private credit model ensures transparency and efficiency while remaining compliant with DFSA Professional Client criteria and Shariah principles.

• ZIGChain infrastructure used for regulated institutional investment.
• ZM1 Investment Tokens provide digital settlement and ownership.
• DFSA-regulated structure ensures institutional-grade compliance and governance.

How is the Fund Managed and Administered?

The fund operates as a DFSA-regulated Exempt Fund, managed by Truleum Venture Partners Limited and administered by Apex Group. This partnership ensures that tokenized private credit assets are handled with institutional fund administration and controls from the outset. By combining regional investment expertise with digital issuance, Zamanat is setting a new standard for how Digital Shariah Assets are brought to market for global professional investors.

"Strong businesses across the GCC still struggle to access growth capital despite sound fundamentals. Zamanat sponsored the Fund to create a credible route between those businesses and institutional capital. With a target size of up to USD 100 million and interests issued as Investment Tokens, it is our first live proof point for bringing GCC private credit into a regulated digital structure for Professional Clients," said Umair Tariq, Founder and CEO of Zamanat.

FF NEWS TAKE:

Zamanat’s launch of a tokenized private credit fund is a sophisticated move that finally aligns the massive Islamic finance market with modern RWA (Real World Asset) tokenization. By targeting the $250 billion financing gap, they aren't just chasing a trend; they are solving a critical economic bottleneck in the GCC. This move effectively validates ZIGChain’s institutional utility and positions the DIFC as a global leader in regulated digital asset innovation.