The approval further supports Abu Dhabi’s efforts to position itself as a leading global center for regulated digital assets.
Circle has scored a significant regulatory milestone in the United Arab Emirates, receiving a Financial Services Permission (FSP) license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).
Key Takeaways:
Circle has received an ADGM license, allowing it to offer USDC services under full regulatory oversight.
The approval supports Abu Dhabi’s broader effort to establish itself as a leading global center for regulated digital assets.
Circle has named Dr. Saeeda Jaffar to spearhead its regional growth and help accelerate USDC adoption in the UAE.
Circle Secures Full Regulatory Entry into UAE’s Growing Crypto Hub
Circle has achieved a major regulatory milestone in the UAE, receiving a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to offer regulated payment, settlement, and digital-asset services tied to USDC. The approval gives the company a formal operating presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs for compliant crypto activity.
The move aligns with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as a global center for digital-asset regulation, with ADGM leading the charge in attracting firms seeking clear rules for fiat-backed tokens and tokenized financial services.
As part of this expansion, Circle has appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar as Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa. Dr. Jaffar, currently a senior executive at Visa overseeing the GCC region, will join Circle to shape its regional strategy, forge local partnerships, and drive wider adoption of USDC for business payments and financial infrastructure across the UAE and beyond.
“Regulatory clarity is the foundation of a more open and efficient internet financial system. We are honored to work with the FSRA in ADGM,” said Circle co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire.
With the license in place, Circle plans to expand the regulated use of USDC in corporate payments, settlement networks, and developer infrastructure across the region.
This announcement follows Dubai’s earlier recognition of USDC and EURC under the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s (DFSA) crypto token framework, giving Circle regulatory footing in both of the UAE’s main financial zones.
Stablecoins have also gained mainstream traction recently, following the passage of the GENIUS Act in July. The federal framework created by the law has prompted a wave of new stablecoin initiatives from major financial institutions, including Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Robinhood.
Tether and Binance Also Expand in ADGM
Tether’s USDT stablecoin has similarly secured regulatory recognition in ADGM, allowing licensed institutions in the free financial zone to conduct regulated activities with USDT across multiple blockchains, including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. This builds on prior recognition for USDT on Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche.
Meanwhile, Binance has announced full authorization to operate its flagship Binance.com platform under ADGM oversight. The company will operate through three separate legal entities in the zone — an exchange, a clearing house, and a broker-dealer — reflecting a traditional financial-market structure designed to support regulated trading, custody, settlement, and off-exchange services.
