Emre Yumlu 
US-based stablecoin issuer Circle has secured in-principle approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), signaling its intent to deepen operations in the Middle East. This milestone brings the firm closer to obtaining a full Financial Services Permission (FSP), which would enable it to function as a fully regulated money services provider in the UAE.
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire emphasized that this approval aligns with the company’s long-term vision of embedding itself in jurisdictions that support the onchain economy. He also underlined Circle’s continued commitment to responsible global oversight of stablecoins.
Strategic Alliance with Hub71
Alongside regulatory progress, Circle revealed a new collaboration with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s leading tech innovation ecosystem. Through this partnership, Circle will contribute to regulatory sandbox projects within the ADGM and play an active role in advancing blockchain innovation.
The company will also become part of Hub71’s digital asset group, engaging with a network of over 500 startups and investors and sharing its expertise in blockchain infrastructure and compliance.
USDC’s Expanding Footprint
Circle’s flagship stablecoin, USDC, is currently the second-largest in the world by market cap, with more than $62 billion in circulation. As global demand for stablecoins grows, Circle continues to break ground in key financial markets.
In July 2024, Circle became the first international issuer to fully align with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework. In Asia, its partnership with SBI Holdings paved the way for a historic moment on March 26, 2025, when SBI VC Trade launched USDC trading—making it the first stablecoin officially approved under Japan’s digital asset laws.
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