Tether’s USDT has secured regulatory recognition within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), marking another advancement in the jurisdiction’s efforts to incorporate stablecoins into its supervised financial environment. The approval arrives shortly after Ripple’s RLUSD received similar treatment and aligns with a period in which major digital asset firms, including Binance, have obtained various permissions from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). With this development, regulated entities operating in ADGM can now offer USDT-related services across a wider range of networks, positioning the stablecoin for expanded use within the region’s oversight framework.
According to Tether, USDT has been designated as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT) under FSRA rules. This classification enables licensed firms in ADGM to conduct regulated activities involving USDT on newly approved blockchains, including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. These networks join the previously authorized options such as Ethereum, Avalanche, and Solana, which were approved in earlier phases. The company indicated that this expansion stems from ongoing collaboration with ADGM regulators and reflects a broader strategy to increase the availability of USDT across multiple platforms.
Enhanced Support for Settlement and Interoperability
Tether explained that the FSRA’s multi-chain approval supports settlement processes and interoperability needs tied to trading activity and decentralized applications. Firms offering USDT under the AFRT designation are required to follow the standards and safeguards outlined by the regulatory authority, ensuring that operations remain within the parameters expected for fiat-referenced tokens.
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, commented that the update underscores the UAE’s continuing progress in building a comprehensive regulatory structure for digital assets. He noted that the approval reinforces the company’s emphasis on regulatory compliance while broadening access to stablecoin-related services throughout the region. Ardoino also suggested that the framework offers additional opportunities for institutions and market participants seeking to operate under formal oversight rather than within unregulated environments.
Tether’s USD₮ Recognised as Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM for Use on Several Major Blockchains
Learn more: https://t.co/PKmF7w5aUx— Tether (@Tether_to) December 8, 2025
Ripple and Binance Approvals Strengthen ADGM’s Digital Asset Push
The authorization for USDT closely follows ADGM’s recognition of Ripple’s RLUSD, which received the same AFRT classification earlier in the month. The parallel approvals indicate a broader movement within the jurisdiction toward establishing standardized pathways for fiat-referenced tokens across a diverse set of blockchain networks. By expanding the number of chains eligible for regulated activity, ADGM appears to be reinforcing its ambition to position itself as a global hub for compliant digital asset operations.
The regulatory backdrop also includes Binance’s recent approval from the FSRA. The exchange received full authorization to offer regulated trading, custody, settlement, and off-exchange services within ADGM, making it the first crypto platform to obtain comprehensive authorization under the jurisdiction’s framework. The sequence of approvals showcases a coordinated effort by ADGM to strengthen its regulatory infrastructure while enabling digital asset firms to operate with increased clarity and compliance.
With USDT now formally recognized under the AFRT framework and available across a growing number of networks, ADGM continues to demonstrate its commitment to facilitating regulated stablecoin activity and fostering a more structured ecosystem for blockchain-based financial services.
