According to Ibrahim Kamalmaz, founder and CEO of Titanium Escrow, the role of escrow is transitioning from a basic fund protection mechanism to a vital element in structuring and finalizing detailed transactions.
During his address at Law Middle East’s Finance in Focus 2026 conference, Kamalmaz pointed out an uptick in demand for adaptable escrow solutions across mergers and acquisitions (M&A), restructuring efforts, private credit, and real estate sectors, as the UAE’s financial markets continue to mature.
From securing capital to enabling transactions
Since its inception in 2020, Titanium Escrow has supported transactions exceeding $6 billion across over 1,000 engagements in the region and globally.
The company was founded following a problematic vehicle purchase Kamalmaz encountered while working in banking. This incident led him to investigate the absence of an independent third party to hold funds and guarantee transaction execution per agreed conditions.
Discussions with legal professionals and regulators uncovered a perceived market opportunity for an escrow service. Kamalmaz approached Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in 2017, collaborating with the financial hub to establish a regulatory framework for the business.
“We were built for the local market, so that is our competitive advantage,” he addressed an audience of over 100 finance lawyers at the event, which drew more than 100 delegates.
One common misunderstanding about escrow, Kamalmaz noted, is that it merely entails depositing money into an account until a deal concludes.
He explained the service functions as the foundation enabling transaction progression, with funds released at defined intervals once specified conditions are fulfilled.
He referenced a recent case involving a distressed company selling assets. The deal required escrow funding, a payment prior to a share transfer completion, and a court-appointed agent to manage the account post-closing. The structure incorporated multiple mechanisms, each facilitating a distinct phase of the transaction.
“Escrow is moving from a back-office support function to the timeline against which the transaction moves,” he stated.
This differentiation holds significant importance in complex deals, where fund disbursement may rely on multiple parties, documents, and milestones. A well-designed escrow framework can offer buyers and sellers enhanced assurance that funds will only shift when predetermined criteria are satisfied.
For lawyers negotiating agreements, the contrast between the underlying sale and purchase agreement (SPA) and the escrow agreement is a key aspect to consider.
Kamalmaz emphasized a recurring difficulty occurs when legal teams transfer SPA language directly into an escrow agreement without accounting for the distinct purposes of both documents.
Titanium Escrow maintains its agreements independent of the SPA, focusing the escrow setup on the mechanical operation of the account and its release conditions. The aim is to prevent unnecessary complications while ensuring the mechanism supports the transaction’s intended outcome.
Compliance and adaptability
Regulatory compliance is a fundamental aspect of the model. Kamalmaz stated they treat anti-money laundering (AML) protocols as a benefit, with due diligence forming part of their duty to safeguard both parties in a transaction.
Their procedures involve verifying parties, establishing the source of funds, screening against sanctions lists, and understanding the underlying economic substance of each deal.
The firm also employs a risk-based approach for accepting transactions. Kamalmaz mentioned they generally avoid certain high-risk commodity deals, focusing instead on areas such as M&A, capital markets, and real estate.
The challenge, he added, is making onboarding as efficient as possible without compromising regulatory standards.
Looking ahead, Kamalmaz identified private credit as an area where escrow infrastructure could play a role in the UAE’s financial markets.
In traditional lending, banks manage repayment flows through accounts they operate. For example, a lender financing a shopping mall might require tenant rent to flow into a designated account, with receipts distributed between the lender and property owner according to an agreed structure.
Similar arrangements can become more complex outside traditional banking, where infrastructure for collecting receivables and managing funds may not be readily available.
Kamalmaz explained Titanium Escrow supports private credit providers with receivables and funding accounts, including mechanisms that determine payment priorities.
He noted the UAE private credit market appears to be growing, though still at an early stage.
For Kamalmaz, the company’s growth has been partly driven by referrals between lawyers who have used its services in previous deals. Its advantage, he argued, lies in specializing in escrow, understanding the local market, and maintaining flexibility to meet specific needs.
Digital processes and emerging applications
Titanium Escrow employs digital know-your-customer (KYC) processes to streamline onboarding, contrasting with traditional banking practices that often require wet-ink signatures and separate onboarding for each party.
The company offers various release mechanisms, including single-party and multi-party options, providing flexibility to accommodate different transaction structures.
Kamalmaz highlighted tokenized assets as another potential application for escrow services. In a tokenized real estate transaction, for instance, escrow can collect investor funds, complete KYC checks, and hold the consideration against which tokens are issued.
The process can also operate in reverse, with proceeds received and distributed to investors when tokens are redeemed. Kamalmaz noted that tokenization remains at an early stage, with regulatory developments in the UAE likely to influence its growth.
Market trends and growth opportunities
Despite geopolitical pressures and a slowdown in M&A activity, Titanium Escrow has maintained a strong transaction flow. Restructuring matters, particularly involving real estate assets sold at a discount, have been prominent.
Kamalmaz anticipates potential demand from hospitality and food and beverage businesses. He also sees government-related transactions as a growth area, citing UAE Law No. 5 of 2026 on public-private partnerships as an opportunity for private entities to engage with the government through subcontracting arrangements.
Capital markets will remain a focus, as the UAE continues to develop its financial infrastructure. Kamalmaz emphasized that lawyer referrals from previous engagements with Titanium Escrow have been a key driver of the company’s expansion.
Finance in Focus 2026 took place on May 19, 2026, at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. The event was supported by partners Al Tamimi & Company, BSA Law, Hadef & Partners, Datasite, and Titanium Escrow.