Bitcoin Suisse Expands into the Middle East: Regulatory Approval in Abu Dhabi Amid Global Cryptocurrency Shift
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Swiss crypto finance giant Bitcoin Suisse has officially received an in-principle approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The move marks the company’s first foray outside of Europe, expanding its operations into one of the fastest-growing financial markets in the Middle East.
The approval comes via its newly established subsidiary – BTCS (Middle East) Ltd, positioning Bitcoin Suisse to provide regulated crypto financial services, including digital asset trading, tokenized securities, derivatives and custody services, right in the strategic financial hub of the UAE.
Commitment to Compliance and Global Expansion
According to Ceyda Majcen, Global Expansion Director and CEO Designate of BTCS (Middle East) Ltd, the approval demonstrates the company’s “strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency, security and regulatory compliance”.
Bitcoin Suisse, founded in 2013, is a leading name in Switzerland’s Crypto Valley – shaping the future of digital assets with a market valuation exceeding $500 billion. The company currently holds over $6 billion in custody and provides over $2.6 billion in institutional staking services, placing it among the largest digital asset custodians globally.
UAE – The New Hub for Global Cryptocurrency
The expansion into Abu Dhabi shows that the UAE is increasingly becoming a strategic crypto hub thanks to its clear and friendly regulatory policies. ADGM, with the FSRA as its regulator, has built a comprehensive legal framework for virtual assets – globally recognized for its rigor, transparency and innovation.
KYC Hub reports that ADGM is the largest regulated hub for digital asset services in the MENA region, attracting more and more big names in the Web3 industry.
Not Just Bitcoin Suisse: Other Big Players Enter the Middle East
Bitcoin Suisse is not alone. On April 29, 2025, Circle – the world’s second-largest USDC stablecoin issuer – also received in-principle approval from the FSRA to prepare for its launch in the UAE. Meanwhile, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, an organization specializing in Bitcoin Layer 2 applications, has also set up a representative office in ADGM – marking the first time a Bitcoin-based organization has an official presence in the Middle East.
Strong institutional backing in the UAE
Major financial institutions in Abu Dhabi are also accelerating their investments in the blockchain space:
The sovereign wealth fund ADQ, IHC Group and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) have announced plans to issue a dirham-pegged stablecoin.
The Abu Dhabi government-backed MGX Group invested $2 billion in Binance in March 2025, expanding its presence in the global crypto ecosystem.
Strategic significance and a new wave of venture capital
Bitcoin Suisse’s expansion into Abu Dhabi is part of a growing wave of institutional crypto adoption. According to Business Standard, the first quarter of 2025 saw venture capital investment in crypto companies reach $5.4 billion – the highest since mid-2022. The main factors driving this boom are a clear regulatory environment and growing interest from traditional financial institutions.
Arvind Ramamurthy, Director of Market Development at ADGM, commented that Bitcoin Suisse establishing a presence here is “a testament to Abu Dhabi’s huge potential in the digital finance sector.”
UAE – Multi-layered model for digital asset regulation
In addition to ADGM, the UAE also has a multi-center regulatory ecosystem that includes:
FSRA in Abu Dhabi
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai
Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) at the national level
This allows for regulatory flexibility while ensuring appropriate levels of protection and oversight for digital asset activities.
Conclusion: The Middle East – the New Gold Coast of Digital Finance
The expansion of Bitcoin Suisse – one of Europe’s oldest and most respected crypto institutions – into Abu Dhabi shows that the UAE is becoming a global hub for decentralized financial innovation. While Western markets continue to grapple with regulatory uncertainty, the Middle East has emerged as a bright spot with clear regulations, abundant capital and the ambition to build the future of Web3 finance.