Circle has secured full regulatory access to the United Arab Emirates following its approval to operate inside the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The move strengthens Circle’s position as the UAE continues to attract major crypto firms seeking clear oversight. It also places USDC at the center of the region’s growing demand for regulated stablecoin services.
Circle secures FSRA approval
Circle said in a Tuesday press release that it gained a Financial Services Permission license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in ADGM.
The authorization allows the company to operate as a regulated Money Services Provider within the capital market free zone.
The license enables Circle to offer regulated payment, settlement, and digital-asset services linked to USDC, giving the firm a formal operating base in the UAE.
Executives noted that ADGM is shaping itself as a global destination for firms building compliant fiat-referenced tokens and tokenized financial infrastructure.
As part of this expansion, Circle appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar as Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa. She currently serves as a senior Visa executive overseeing the GCC region.
Circle said she will guide its regional strategy, form new partnerships, and push for broader USDC adoption in business payments and financial systems across the UAE and nearby markets.
Co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire stated that regulatory clarity forms the foundation for an open and efficient financial system and said the company values its work with the FSRA.
Circle plans to expand regulated USDC use across corporate payments, settlement rails, and developer infrastructure throughout the region.
The announcement follows Dubai’s recent approval of USDC and EURC under the DFSA crypto token regime.
With recognition in both major UAE financial zones, Circle now holds firm regulatory footing for stablecoin operations in the country.
Tether and Binance have secured ADGM approval
Tether has also secured recognition inside ADGM, according to recent disclosures.
ADGM now permits licensed institutions in the free zone to conduct regulated activities using USDT across Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. This expands on earlier approvals for Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche.
Tether said this wide coverage supports institutions seeking compliant access to fiat-referenced tokens.
Binance has also secured full authorization to operate Binance.com under ADGM oversight following years of regulatory review.