Circle Secures ADGM License and Appoints Former Visa Executive to Lead Middle East Expansion

Circle Internet Group is deepening its commitment to the Gulf, securing a major license from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and appointing a seasoned regional leader to accelerate its presence across the Middle East and North Africa.

The approval, granted by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), allows Circle to operate as a regulated Money Services Provider within the international financial center.

The news strengthens the company’s ability to offer compliant payment solutions and stablecoin services at a time when the UAE continues to establish itself as a leading jurisdiction for digital asset oversight.

A Strategic Hire to Anchor Regional Growth

To support its push into the region, Circle has appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, a prominent figure in the GCC's payments landscape. Jaffar previously served as Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council at Visa, and held advisory positions at McKinsey, Bain, and Alvarez & Marsal.

Her experience spans banking, sovereign finance, and government strategy across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the US, a background that Circle says will be pivotal as it scales operations across the UAE and broader Gulf region.

UAE’s Regulatory Framework Draws Global Players

Best known for issuing USD Coin (USDC), Circle has been steadily expanding its Gulf footprint over the past year as Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to establish clearer rules for fiat-backed tokens and digital payment infrastructure.

Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, praised the FSRA’s regulatory approach, calling transparent rules and strict risk management standards “the cornerstone of a safer, more open internet-native financial system.” He noted that ADGM’s framework enables trusted stablecoins to support real-world payments and financial flows at scale.

Circle’s approval follows similar regulatory wins for major industry players including Binance and Tether, highlighting the UAE’s accelerating momentum as a regulated digital asset hub.

A Region Moving Toward Standardized Digital Asset Oversight

The UAE has recently intensified its policy work around crypto and tokenized finance. In September, the Emirates signed on to an international crypto tax-reporting framework and launched a consultation to define how digital asset activity should be reported to authorities, moves aimed at creating clearer, harmonized rules across the sector.

Industry observers say Circle’s expansion is another data point confirming the country’s growing leadership in the field.

Analysts cite the UAE’s early regulatory clarity, large remittance flows, and government-backed digital infrastructure as drivers of institutional interest.