emirates7 - DMCC, the leading global business hub based in Dubai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AQUA-INDEX, an international trailblazer in water commodities trading. This strategic partnership marks a significant step toward transforming how freshwater is traded and valued globally.
Through this collaboration, AQUA-INDEX aims to introduce the world’s first digital asset token directly backed by verified, potable freshwater stored in global reservoirs. This innovative asset will allow investors, traders, hedgers, and the general public to buy, hold, trade, or physically receive freshwater as a recognized commodity. The initiative seeks to increase liquidity and transparency within global water supply chains by combining financial technology with deep industry expertise.
As part of the agreement, AQUA-INDEX will leverage DMCC’s extensive global network, premium infrastructure, and renowned commodities ecosystem to facilitate seamless investment and trading in water-based assets. The company will also promote greater access to data and insights on water pricing and usage trends, offering essential tools for DMCC members and other stakeholders. Notably, DMCC itself will not have ownership or direct control over the token.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, stated:
“Despite water being a critical resource, it lacks a regulated and mature market—even though nearly half the world’s population faces water scarcity at some point each year. By partnering with AQUA-INDEX, we aim to a transparent, impartial, and legally robust market structure for water. This initiative aligns with our vision for the DMCC Water Centre—a hub that will spotlight water-related issues while attracting top-tier companies focused on water innovation, security, sustainability, and education. Our goal is to ensure water, the world’s most transported resource, can reach those most in need.”
Yaacov Shirazi, Chairman and Founder of AQUA-INDEX, added:
“By linking water’s price to its utility, standardising it by quality and mineral content, and positioning it as a new financial asset class, we are reshaping global water management. This will help address challenges like scarcity, contamination, and limited access.”
The announcement supports DMCC’s broader efforts to develop the DMCC Water Centre—a comprehensive ecosystem that consolidates WaterTech innovators, logistics experts, and commodity traders to position Dubai as a global hub for water trading and technological advancement.
Through this collaboration, AQUA-INDEX aims to introduce the world’s first digital asset token directly backed by verified, potable freshwater stored in global reservoirs. This innovative asset will allow investors, traders, hedgers, and the general public to buy, hold, trade, or physically receive freshwater as a recognized commodity. The initiative seeks to increase liquidity and transparency within global water supply chains by combining financial technology with deep industry expertise.
As part of the agreement, AQUA-INDEX will leverage DMCC’s extensive global network, premium infrastructure, and renowned commodities ecosystem to facilitate seamless investment and trading in water-based assets. The company will also promote greater access to data and insights on water pricing and usage trends, offering essential tools for DMCC members and other stakeholders. Notably, DMCC itself will not have ownership or direct control over the token.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, stated:
“Despite water being a critical resource, it lacks a regulated and mature market—even though nearly half the world’s population faces water scarcity at some point each year. By partnering with AQUA-INDEX, we aim to a transparent, impartial, and legally robust market structure for water. This initiative aligns with our vision for the DMCC Water Centre—a hub that will spotlight water-related issues while attracting top-tier companies focused on water innovation, security, sustainability, and education. Our goal is to ensure water, the world’s most transported resource, can reach those most in need.”
Yaacov Shirazi, Chairman and Founder of AQUA-INDEX, added:
“By linking water’s price to its utility, standardising it by quality and mineral content, and positioning it as a new financial asset class, we are reshaping global water management. This will help address challenges like scarcity, contamination, and limited access.”
The announcement supports DMCC’s broader efforts to develop the DMCC Water Centre—a comprehensive ecosystem that consolidates WaterTech innovators, logistics experts, and commodity traders to position Dubai as a global hub for water trading and technological advancement.