Circle Secures Abu Dhabi License, Expands USDC and Appoints New MEA Lead

Circle has obtained an ADGM license in Abu Dhabi, enabling it to offer regulated USDC payment and settlement services in the UAE and MEA. The company also appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar as regional managing director.

Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has secured a Financial Services Permission (FSP) license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), allowing it to operate as a regulated Money Services Provider in the United Arab Emirates. This regulatory approval enables Circle to expand its USDC payment and settlement solutions for businesses, developers, and financial institutions across the UAE and the broader Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The license, granted by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), follows earlier recognition of Circle’s USDC and EURC stablecoins under Dubai’s crypto regime. As part of its regional expansion, Circle appointed Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, formerly of Visa, as Managing Director for the MEA region. Her role will focus on developing regional strategy, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating the adoption of digital dollar payment solutions. Circle’s leadership emphasized that regulatory clarity and the ADGM framework’s high standards for transparency, risk management, and consumer protection are crucial for building a trusted and efficient internet-scale financial system. The move reinforces the UAE’s position as a hub for regulated digital assets and stablecoin settlement.