Circle Secures ADGM License in UAE: A Major Expansion Move for Crypto Giant

Circle just landed a heavyweight regulatory green light—and it's setting up shop in one of finance's most ambitious sandboxes.

The Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority handed Circle its full license. This isn't just a permission slip; it's a master key to the Middle East's booming digital economy. The move lets Circle operate a regulated stablecoin hub, offering USDC and EURC services directly to institutions and developers hungry for dollar-pegged digital assets.

Why Abu Dhabi Matters

Forget the old financial centers. The UAE is building the future of finance from the ground up, and Circle wants in on the blueprint. The ADGM has positioned itself as a crypto-forward zone with clear rules—exactly what institutional money craves. This license isn't an experiment; it's an endorsement that could pull billions in capital flows through regulated channels.

Stablecoins Go Institutional

This expansion screams one thing: stablecoins are no longer a crypto niche. They're becoming the plumbing for global finance. By planting its flag in the UAE, Circle isn't just serving crypto traders—it's courting sovereign wealth funds, multinational corporations, and payment giants looking to bypass the sluggish, fee-riddled legacy system. It’s a direct shot across the bow of traditional cross-border payments.

The Bigger Picture: A Global Chessboard

Circle's UAE play is part of a calculated global strategy. Secure a license in a progressive jurisdiction, onboard the region's deep-pocketed players, and create a network of regulated corridors. It turns geopolitical complexity into a business model. Other crypto giants are watching—this sets a new benchmark for what 'compliant expansion' looks like outside the US and Europe.

One cynical finance jab? It's almost poetic. The same institutions that spent years dismissing crypto are now racing to build the licensed rails for the very assets that were meant to bypass them. The revolution might not be televised, but it will be fully compliant and fee-generating.

Bottom line: Circle's ADGM license is more than a headline. It's a signal that the infrastructure for a digital asset-powered financial system is being built right now—and it's being built where the old rules don't apply.

Leadership and regulatory support

Alongside this regulatory milestone, Circle has appointed Dr Saeeda Jaffar as Managing Director (MD) for its Middle East and Africa operations. Dr Jaffar joins from Visa, where she was Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the Gulf region. She will lead Circle’s strategy in the region, work with financial institutions, and promote the use of digital dollars and on-chain payment solutions.

Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, pointed out that regulatory clarity is key to building a trusted and efficient digital finance system. He welcomed Dr Jaffar, noting, “Her DEEP regional expertise, strategic vision and reputation for building high-performing partnerships will be invaluable as we expand our presence in the UAE and MEA.”

Arvind Ramamurthy, ADGM’s Chief Market Development Officer, also emphasized that Circle’s regulated presence aligns with the UAE’s push for responsible innovation in digital assets. 

Moreover, Circle’s activities in the UAE reflect the broader trend of regulated digital finance gaining ground in the region, as governments aim to balance innovation with consumer protection.

In July 2024, Circle became the first global stablecoin issuer to secure an EU Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license under the MiCA framework. This license allows Circle to offer USDC and EURC to European customers, marking a key step in mainstream crypto adoption.

On December 8, 2025, Binance received its ADGM license, and Circle is now joining the growing list of global crypto firms operating under Abu Dhabi’s regulated digital-asset framework.

Circle’s Arc Blockchain

In October, Circle unveiled the public testnet of its latest blockchain, Arc, built for real-world financial use cases ranging from payments to lending and asset trading.

Arc is a Layer-1 blockchain that aims to make transactions faster and more predictable. It boasts dollar-denominated fees that are attractive to financial institutions. Already testing the network are major banks and tech companies such as BlackRock, HSBC, State Street, AWS, and Coinbase.

In late October 2025, South Korea’s digital asset custodian, BDACS, partnered with Circle in launching its won-backed stablecoin, KRW1, on the Arc blockchain. After earlier launching the KRW1 on Avalanche, the latest development has furthered Korea’s entry into the global stablecoin network.

Recent regulatory approvals for Circle, blockchain developments, and global partnerships reflect a broader trend of digital finance becoming increasingly regulated and integrated worldwide.

Also Read: Bybit Partners with Circle to Expand USDC Access