Circle Expands in UAE with New Regional Director Following ADGM Approval

Circle isn't just dipping a toe in the Middle East—it's planting a flag. The stablecoin giant has secured its regulatory green light from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and is now moving decisively to build out its regional command.

From Approval to Action

The paperwork is signed. The strategy is set. Now, Circle is shifting to execution mode with the appointment of a new regional director to spearhead its UAE operations. This isn't exploratory chatter; it's a clear signal of committed expansion into one of the world's most proactive digital asset hubs.

Why the Gulf Matters

For a company built on moving value across borders, a foothold in the UAE is a strategic masterstroke. The region serves as a critical financial bridge between East and West, and ADGM's progressive framework offers the regulatory clarity legacy finance still pretends is too confusing to establish.

The move tightens Circle's global network, bringing its dollar-pegged digital currency closer to institutional capital and payment flows eager for a modern settlement layer. It's a direct challenge to the sluggish correspondent banking system—cutting out the middlemen who treat cross-border transfers like a luxury, not a utility.

The Bigger Picture

This expansion is more than a new office listing. It's a calculated bet on the future of money in a region that's betting big itself. While traditional banks debate blockchain over expensive lunches, Circle is deploying on-the-ground leadership to capture the market. One can almost hear the collective sigh from compliance departments still trying to fax documents.

The race to digitize global finance isn't won with whitepapers—it's won with licenses and local teams. Circle just checked both boxes.

Allaire says FSRA framework sets high bar for consumer protection

With our @ADGlobalMarket FSRA licence secured, USDC is poised to support real-world payments, FX, settlements, and social use cases across the region.

Proud of our team and our collaboration with Abu Dhabi regulators toward safe, transparent onchain finance. https://t.co/ZhLlMu1WTv

— Jeremy Allaire – jda.eth / jdallaire.sol (@jerallaire) December 9, 2025

The Circle boss said the FSRA’s framework sets a high bar for risk management, transparency, and consumer protection. He pointed out that these standards enable trusted stablecoins to support real-world payments at internet scale, adding that regulatory clarity is the foundation of a more open and efficient online financial system.

ADGM’s Chief Marketing Development Officer, Arvind Ramamurthy, also emphasized that having clear rules for fiat-pegged tokens in the UAE enables the safe and scalable adoption of crypto across the financial system.

Ramamurthy added that ADGM’s primary goal is to build an internet-based financial system that supports real-world use cases, enhancing market confidence and solidifying the UAE’s role as a hub for the region’s regulated digital financial services.

Meanwhile, Dr. Saeeda Jaffar has also joined the company as the new Director for Circle Middle East & Africa, according to CEO Allaire. Jaffar is joining Circle from Visa, where she was the Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).  

The company’s appointment of Jaffar is part of its ongoing effort to lay the groundwork for a more open global economy through digital assets and strategic appointments. Meanwhile, it will also continue to push the bar higher for payment applications and programmable blockchain infrastructure.

ADGM approves Tether and Binance

The ADGM has also recognized Tether’s USDT as an approved token within its financial district a day earlier, allowing licensed companies to use the stablecoin across TON, Aptos, TRON, and Cosmos.

Binance also announced on the same day plans to operate its fully authorized Binance.com exchange under the ADGM framework. Binance will be operating a clearance house, an exchange, and a broker-dealer starting early next year.

Meanwhile, Circle previously collaborated with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 to explore initiatives around ADGM’s digital regulatory sandbox. The company will also join Hub71’s Digital Assets ecosystem, a community of over 500 venture capital partners and tech startups. 

Ahmad Alwan, Hub71’s CEO, said collaborating with crypto companies will provide Hub71 founders with access to mentorship, resources, and opportunities for growth. He added that both Circle and Hub71 aim to enable the adoption of Web3 and digital finance in Abu Dhabi.

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