Circle just scored a major regulatory win: the UAE's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has given in-principle approval for Circle to operate as a money services business in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Translation? USDC is going regional, and Circle’s aiming big.
This isn’t just another compliance checkbox. It’s a launchpad for serious USDC adoption across the Middle East and Africa — with eyes firmly set on challenging Tether’s regional dominance.
With approval in hand, Circle is one step closer to full Financial Services Permission (FSP). That means:
“We’re building a resilient internet financial system — and this is a key step,” said Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire.
Circle’s play here is simple: be the go-to stablecoin for real-world finance, not just DeFi degens.
Circle’s regulatory win comes with a strategic twist — a new partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s flagship innovation hub. What’s on deck:
Circle’s joining Hub71’s Digital Assets Specialist ecosystem, helping founders build everything from DeFi rails to real-world payment tools — all backed by stablecoins.
“This isn’t just about Circle,” said Hub71 CEO Ahmad Ali Alwan. “It’s about enabling a new financial infrastructure for Web3 startups across the region.”
The UAE isn’t playing catch-up — it’s leading the race. Clear regulations. Open policy. Big vision. The region is going full throttle on blockchain-based finance.
Circle’s Middle East move puts USDC at the heart of that ecosystem — right when it matters most. As crypto heats up again and governments eye blockchain rails, regulated stablecoins are the infrastructure everyone wants.
Circle now has regulatory approval to launch USDC in one of the most crypto-forward regions in the world — and it’s teaming up with Hub71 to supercharge Web3 innovation. With USDC positioned as the clean, compliant stablecoin, and the Middle East pushing ahead on digital finance, this is more than a regional win — it’s a global signal.
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