Tether’s USD₮ Gains Recognition as Fiat-Referenced Token in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM

Terrill Dicki
Dec 10, 2025 15:05

Tether’s USD₮ has been recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, enhancing its regulatory coverage across major blockchains.

Tether, a leading entity in the digital assets industry, has achieved a significant milestone with its USD₮ stablecoin being recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT) within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), according to Tether. This recognition permits Authorised Persons, licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, to engage in Regulated Activities involving USD₮ across a range of blockchain networks such as Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON.

ADGM’s Strategic Recognition

This development follows sustained engagements with the FSRA, showcasing Tether’s commitment to resilience, transparency, and a compliance-oriented operational model. The recognition marks a pivotal step for expanding the accessibility of USD₮, the most widely utilized stablecoin globally, across multiple blockchain platforms.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, emphasized the UAE’s leadership in setting global standards for digital asset regulation, stating, “This milestone highlights Tether’s dedication to advancing financial inclusion and innovation on a global scale. Introducing USD₮ within ADGM’s regulated digital asset framework reinforces the role of stablecoins as essential components of today’s financial landscape.”

Expanding Blockchain Coverage

This approval builds upon ADGM’s previous acceptance of USD₮ on Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche, extending its regulatory coverage significantly. It underscores ADGM’s forward-thinking approach, establishing a comprehensive multi-chain foundation for USD₮ within one of the world’s most respected digital asset jurisdictions. This strategic move enables ADGM Authorised Persons to support a broader spectrum of blockchain networks.

With this recognition, Tether now sees USD₮ approved for use on nearly all major blockchains it supports, enhancing the token’s interoperability within the global financial system. This facilitates USD₮’s function as a reliable settlement asset for both trading and decentralized applications, while adhering to the AFRT criteria and safeguards instituted by the FSRA.

Implications for the UAE’s Financial Ecosystem

Tether’s ongoing collaboration within ADGM aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to integrate blockchain technology into its financial ecosystem, while ensuring robust oversight and investor protection. The inclusion of USD₮ within this framework boosts liquidity, interoperability, and diversifies the blockchain infrastructure accessible to users and institutions within the region.

This multi-chain approval not only enhances financial access but also demonstrates the potential for collaboration between innovators and regulators to expand financial inclusion without compromising on compliance or security.

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