CRYPTO-

Circle Internet gets FSRA greenlight to operate in ADGM: US-based payments tech company Circle Internet Group secured a financial services permission (FSP) license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to operate as a money service provider in ADGM, according to a press release. The license will allow the firm to extend its regulated payment and settlement services to businesses, developers, and financial institutions.

The company tapped Saeeda Jaffar (LinkedIn) as managing director to lead the firm’s regional MEA base. Jaffar, previously senior vice-president and group country manager for the GCC at Visa, will advance the adoption of USD and on-chain payment solutions in her new role.

ICYMI- Circle secured DFSA approval in February to have its stablecoins USDC and EURC recognized as crypto tokens within DIFC — making them the first approved stablecoins under the financial center.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

Tabadulat to roll out shariah-compliant trading platform following FSRA license: Shariah-compliant brokerage platform Tabadulat received a full financial services permission (FSP) Category 3A license from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), allowing it to roll out the UAE’s first shariah-compliant trading platform, according to a press release (pdf). The platform will offer direct access to shariah-compliant stocks and ETFs across the US, Europe, GCC, and Asia.

The company also secured an additional USD 1 mn in investment funding, bringing its total capital to USD 3.3 mn.

Background: In September, the brokerage startup received in-principle approval from the ADGM’s FSRA. At the time, it floated the idea of developing fractionalized sukuk.

LOGISTICS-

DP World unifies marine services under one brand: State-owned logistics giant DP World has consolidated its marine services businesses — Unifeeder is now shipping solutions, P&O Ferrymasters is now multimodal solutions, and P&O Maritime Logistics is now maritime solutions — under a single brand, according to a press release. Full integration will happen over the next few months and the three channels will keep their existing teams, infrastructure, and operations in place.

The rundown: The newly unified operations cover feeder and shortsea shipping, inland logistics, and offshore services. The shipping segment runs 150 vessels across over 200 ports, while multimodal solutions manages over 100 rail routes, 14 terminals, and industrial cargo corridors. The maritime segment operates over 400 vessels, including 17 multipurpose cargo ships, alongside pilotage and towage services globally.

M&A-

EIH to acquire a 23% stake in Al Ain Mills to expand production capacity: Abu Dhabi’s Ethmar International Holding (EIH) acquired a 23% stake in UAE-based milling producer Al Ains Mills, with an option to increase the holding to 29%, according to a press release. The capital from the transaction will be used to increase production capacity, modernize facilities, and expand Al Ain Mills’ regional and international footprint.

Production expansion: Earlier this year, the flour producer inked a 50-year land lease agreement with AD Ports to establish a 500km grain processing facility at Khalifa Port’s South Quay, with a storage capacity of 300k metric tons. The facility, slated for completion 2.5 years after construction begins, aims to strengthen the UAE’s food security, as the country drives initiatives to boost efficiency in its integrated food sector.

TRADE FINANCE-

Emirates Islamic Bank approved a USD 50 mn shariah-compliant trade finance facility to UAE-based financial holding company Eclipse Investments Group, according to a press release. The facility is set to boost the company’s liquidity position to support supply chain expansion plans, import and export activities, as well as efforts to expand operations in certain markets.

About Eclipse: Founded in 2005, Eclipse Investments Group is fully owned by Omani Zubair Corporation and is active across a range of industries, such as energy, chemical manufacturing, electrical equipment, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors, according to its website. The company boasts a list of subsidiaries and controlling interests in companies across the globe, including the UK, Norway, KSA, Turkey, Tanzania, and India.

HUMANITARIAN AID-

The UAE has committed USD 550 mn to the UN’s 2026 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), which seeks USD 33 bn to assist 135 mn people across 23 humanitarian operations worldwide, Wam reports. The funding target includes USD 23 bn to help 87 mn people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

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