Circle Gains Regulatory Clearance in Abu Dhabi for Regional Expansion

Circle, a USDC stablecoin issuer, has received in-principle approval (IPA) in Abu Dhabi and is progressing toward becoming a service provider in the region. Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) gave the green light to Circle, making this a momentous step towards a full license in the UAE.

Thanks to this, the platform is one step closer to securing a full Financial Services Permission (FSP) license. With this license in hand, Circle will then operate as a regulated money service provider in the Abu Dhabi area of the UAE. This is a major step towards their goal to expand in countries and regions that are either at the forefront or embracing blockchain technology.

CEO and Co-Founder of Circle, Jeremy Allaire, commented, “This approval advances our strategy to establish deep roots in markets embracing the onchain economy.” He also reflected that this move establishes Circle’s commitment to global stablecoin oversight. Allaire also commented how the aim of the platform is to strengthen regulatory compliance, worldwide adoption, and trust.

Strategic Partnership with Hub71

Along with the positive news of gaining regulatory progress, Circle has joined hands in a strategic partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s leading tech ecosystem. As part of this partnership, the two companies will now participate in ADGM’s digital regulatory sandbox. Circle will also join Hub71 in their digital assets group.

With this partnership, Circle can share its expertise in the digital payment sector. It will enable the sharing of knowledge with more than 500 startups and investors. They will be actively contributing to the growth and development of a robust digital asset ecosystem in the Abu Dhabi region.

USDC’s Global Growth

USDC, Circle token, is currently the second-largest stablecoin by market capitalization in the world. It has over $62 billion in circulation, making it a successful stablecoin!

The platform has been actively working towards expanding its operations. In July 2024, Circle had the honor of becoming the first global stablecoin issuer to comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. In March 2025, Circle partnered with Japan’s SBI Holdings to launch USDC trading via SBI VC Trade, marking Japan's first regulatory approval for a stablecoin.

UAE’s Rising Web3 Ambition

The UAE continues to position itself as a leading global hub for Web3 and digital finance. In 2024, it ranked third in Henley & Partners’ global crypto adoption index. The country has also implemented regulatory and strategic initiatives to attract leading digital asset firms. With strong regulatory support and new partnerships, Circle’s expansion into the UAE signifies a key milestone in its global growth strategy and reinforces the UAE’s role as a rising leader in the digital asset economy.