Circle’s slow but steady expansion in the Middle East has taken a decisive step forward, as the USDC issuer obtained a Financial Services Permit (FSP) license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
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The move positions the company at the center of the UAE’s growing digital asset ecosystem, strengthening its ability to scale stablecoin adoption across the region.
For a market actively developing clearer regulatory frameworks and attracting global crypto players, Circle’s entry underlines the central role stablecoins have come to play in payments infrastructure and cross-border finance.
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Circle obtains ADGM approval and expands its regional strategy
The license, granted by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority, allows Circle to operate as a regulated money services provider within the free financial zone.
This follows preliminary approval earlier this year and gives the company formal permission to offer USDC-powered payments, settlements and on-chain financial tools to businesses and institutions in the UAE.
In addition to the approval, Circle appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar as managing director for the Middle East and Africa. A long-time payments executive with leadership experience at Visa and major consulting firms, she will guide Circle’s expansion efforts, deepen local partnerships, and help integrate USDC into regional prospects.
His appointment reflects Circle’s intention to localize operations and strengthen ties with banks, companies and government entities.
UAE supports push towards regulated digital finance
Circle’s regulatory milestone comes as the UAE ramps up its efforts to build an institutional-grade digital asset ecosystem. Dubai’s ADGM and DIFC have issued stablecoin frameworks and tokens designed to offer clarity to companies operating in the sector.
USDC and EURC were recognized earlier this year under Dubai’s crypto token regime, giving Circle visibility in the country’s two major financial zones.
The approval also coincides with a wave of regulatory developments for other major players. Binance received full authorization to operate its global platform under the supervision of ADGM this week, while Tether gained recognition for USDT on multiple blockchain networks.
These developments show how Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global hub for regulated stablecoin activity, driven by remittance demand, trade flows and a growing emphasis on compliance.
Stablecoin adoption enters a new phase
The UAE’s structured approach comes at a time when stablecoins are gaining wider acceptance in global finance.
With regulatory barriers expanding internationally and stablecoins increasingly used for cross-border payments, Circle’s license opens the door to broader adoption of USDC in corporate finance, development applications and digital asset settlement.
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For Circle, the ADGM license marks a critical foothold in one of the world’s most rapidly changing regulatory environments. For the UAE, it reinforces the ambition to lead regulatory-compliant digital asset innovation while shaping standards for a rapidly evolving sector.
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