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Stablecoin issuer Circle is moving deeper into the United Arab Emirates after securing approval to operate as a financial service provider in the Abu Dhabi International Financial Center.&nbsp;
The company <a href="https://x.com/circle/status/1998265240081826117" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">announced</a> Tuesday that it received a Financial Services Permission license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market. This allows Circle to run its <a href="https://thecoinrise.com/abu-dhabis-financial-giants-to-launch-dirham-pegged-stablecoin/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">stablecoin related activities as a Money Services Provider</a> within the center.
Circle also named Saeeda Jaffar as managing director for its operations across the Middle East and Africa. She also serves as a senior vice president and group country manager for the Gulf Operation Council at Visa. Jaffar will oversee Circle’s regional plans and help expand partnerships linked to USDC adoption.&nbsp;
Company co founder and chief executive Jeremy Allaire said the ADGM rule set maintains high expectations in areas that aim to protect users and reduce risks, which he views as necessary for stablecoins to function at scale in global payments.
<h2 id="span-abu-dhabi-draws-more-major-crypto-companies-span">Abu Dhabi Draws More Major Crypto Companies</h2>
Circle joins a growing list of industry players securing approval in the center. Earlier this week, Tether’s USDt, the largest stablecoin in circulation, reached an important regulatory milestone in Abu Dhabi. Ripple’s dollar linked token received approval in late November as part of this ongoing wave.
On Monday, Binance was granted three separate licenses from the same regulator. These approvals allow the exchange to run its trading platform along with clearing and broker dealer services. Rival exchange <a href="https://thecoinrise.com/bybit-secures-full-license-in-the-uae-in-global-expansion-move/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bybit received its own approval in early October</a>. Together, these decisions show a steady rise in licensed digital asset companies operating in the region.
<h2 id="span-uae-tightens-oversight-of-defi-and-web3-services-span">UAE Tightens Oversight of DeFi and Web3 Services</h2>
The Central Bank of the UAE has been reviewing rules related to the wider crypto sector. In November, it introduced new requirements for services linked to decentralized finance and Web3.&nbsp;
Under Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2025, any project that enables payments, exchange, lending, custody, or investment services must apply for a license. Local crypto lawyer Irina Heaver said this update ends the long standing claim from some projects that they are simply code and therefore outside official oversight.
In October 2024, the UAE removed value added tax on cryptocurrency transfers and conversions, shortly after Dubai tightened rules on marketing in the sector.&nbsp;
Around the same time, the Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis worked on new rules for decentralized autonomous organizations. Local authorities have also taken action against unlicensed groups.
The post <a href="https://thecoinrise.com/circle-wins-key-approval-in-abu-dhabi-as-uae-expands-oversight-of-digital-assets/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Circle Wins Key Approval in Abu Dhabi as UAE Expands Oversight of Digital Assets</a> appeared first on <a href="https://thecoinrise.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">TheCoinrise.com</a>.

Circle Wins Key Approval in Abu Dhabi as UAE Expands Oversight of Digital Assets

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