Circle Internet Group Inc., a global provider of internet-based financial infrastructure, has obtained a Financial Services Permission license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market, allowing it to operate as a Money Services Provider in the international financial centre.

As part of its regional strategy, Circle also announced the appointment of Dr. Saeeda Jaffar as Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa.

Dr. Jaffar, who currently serves as Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the GCC at Visa, will oversee the company’s regional growth plans, strengthen partnerships with financial institutions and enterprises, and support the adoption of digital dollars and on-chain payment solutions across the UAE and the wider MEA region.

With the license secured, Circle plans to expand regulated payment and settlement applications for businesses, developers and financial institutions in the UAE.

Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, said regulatory clarity is essential to building an open and efficient internet financial system. He welcomed the FSRA’s regulatory framework, noting its focus on transparency, risk management and consumer protection, and highlighted Dr. Jaffar’s regional expertise as an asset to the company’s expansion.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said Circle’s regulatory-driven approach aligns with ADGM’s commitment to responsible innovation. He added that the UAE’s clear rules for fiat-referenced tokens are enabling secure and scalable adoption of digital assets, and that Circle’s licensed presence in ADGM will help advance institutional-grade digital finance in the emirate.

The announcement follows Circle’s growing involvement in the UAE, including the Dubai International Financial Centre’s recognition of USDC and EURC earlier this year as the first stablecoins approved under the DFSA’s crypto token regime.