#Circle gains regulatory approval in Abu Dhabi and partners with #LuLu Financial Holdings to enhance cross-border payments using #USDC , marking a significant step in its Middle East expansion.
Circle Secures Abu Dhabi Approval,
Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has received in-principle approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), marking a pivotal step in its strategic expansion into the Middle East.
This regulatory nod positions Circle to obtain a full Financial Services Permission (FSP) license, enabling it to operate as a regulated money services provider within the United Arab Emirates. Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s Co-Founder and CEO, emphasized that this development "advances our strategy to establish deep roots in markets embracing the onchain economy" and underscores the company's commitment to global stablecoin oversight.
In tandem with its regulatory progress, Circle has announced a strategic partnership with LuLu Financial Holdings, a prominent financial services conglomerate in the Middle East. This collaboration aims to facilitate remittances and cross-border payments using USDC, Circle’s fully-reserved digital dollar. LuLuFin, operating across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Indian sub-continent, and APAC region, manages over $10 billion in annual transactions. The partnership will initially target payment corridors between the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, leveraging USDC to enhance liquidity, reduce volatility, and improve transaction speed and traceability.
Circle's incorporation within the ADGM and its collaboration with LuLuFin align with the UAE's broader ambition to become a global hub for digital assets and blockchain innovation. The ADGM has been proactive in establishing a forward-thinking regulatory framework to attract leading digital asset firms. Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM, welcomed Circle, stating that their presence "will further strengthen ADGM’s position as a global financial powerhouse."
This move also complements Circle's recent partnership with Hub71, #AbuDhabi tech ecosystem, where they plan to collaborate on projects within ADGM’s digital regulatory sandbox. Circle will join Hub71’s digital assets group, sharing its expertise with a community of over 500 tech startups and investors.
As Circle continues to expand its global footprint, these developments signify a concerted effort to enhance financial inclusion and accessibility through regulated blockchain solutions, particularly in high-traffic remittance corridors.
