Circle Wins ADGM Approval, Expands Digital Finance Reach in UAE

Circle Internet Group, Inc. , a global financial technology company and stablecoin market leader, announced it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to operate as a money services provider.

This IPA marks a significant step towards Circle securing a Financial Services Permission (FSP) under ADGM’s progressive regulatory framework, and reinforces the company’s commitment to enabling compliant innovation in digital finance throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This milestone follows Circle’s incorporation in ADGM in December 2024 and builds on its expanding presence across the UAE.

The UAE is paving the way for responsible innovators to build the internet financial system. This IPA from ADGM advances our strategy to establish deep roots in markets embracing the onchain economy, creating new pathways for investment and innovation in the region. It also underscores Circle’s enduring commitment to global stablecoin oversight—strengthening trust, compliance, and adoption worldwide, while laying a resilient foundation for the internet financial system.

– Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Circle

We are excited about Circle’s contribution to ADGM’s dynamic ecosystem leveraging their regulatory-first approach, commitment to innovation, and global credibility in the stablecoin space. Their presence aligns with ADGM’s position as a hub for innovation, offering a robust regulatory environment for the growth of next-generation financial services. We look forward to working with Circle as they expand their operations and contribute to the advancement of digital finance in the UAE.

– Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development, ADGM

Circle’s IPA from ADGM represents more than a regional milestone—it is a global signal that regulatory clarity and innovation can, and must, coexist. As forward-looking jurisdictions like the UAE establish clear pathways for digital finance, Circle continues to demonstrate how trusted infrastructure, built on rigorous compliance and transparency, can advance the safe adoption of stablecoins worldwide. This moment reinforces our belief that regulation is not a constraint on innovation, but its most powerful catalyst.

– Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Global Policy and Operations, Circle

Circle also announced a strategic collaboration with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, to strengthen innovation within the digital assets space. Circle and Hub71 will explore initiatives around ADGM’s digital regulatory sandbox, offering founders access to grants, institutional networks, and opportunities to accelerate fintech innovation through hackathons, educational workshops, and mentorship programs. As part of the collaboration, Circle will join Hub71’s Digital Assets specialist ecosystem, contributing its global expertise to a community of more than 500 tech startups and venture capital partners.

Our collaboration with Circle underscores our commitment to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for FinTech and digital assets. Circle’s expertise will enrich our digital assets ecosystem, providing Hub71 founders with greater access to resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities. Through this partnership, we are enabling the adoption of leading digital financial infrastructure that supports startup growth and drives the evolution of Web3 and digital finance from Abu Dhabi.

– Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO, Hub71