• • The Middle East Stable Currency Association ( MESA ) will bring together regulators, financial institutions and industry participants to support the responsible adoption of stable currencies and promote regional cooperation in the public interest.
• MESA will work to bring together sectors, regulators, financial institutions and industry participants to support the responsible adoption of stablecoins and promote regional cooperation in the public interest.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ), the region’s first sectoral body dedicated exclusively to stablecoins, today announced the establishment of its headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, as a Non-Profit Incorporated Organisation (NPO).

This establishment represents the transition of the Middle East Stable Currency Association ( MESA ) from an industry-led initiative to a non-profit institutional platform registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, dedicated to supporting the responsible adoption of stable currencies and promoting dialogue on public policy, education, research, standards development, and knowledge sharing at the international level.

The Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ) was established to bring together stablecoin issuers, trading platforms, banks, fintech companies, legal advisors, digital infrastructure providers, venture capital firms, corporate treasury leaders, and other market participants, as well as to engage with policymakers and regulators, to support the safe, transparent, and interoperable growth of digital currencies across the region. The association operates in the public interest and does not promote any particular institution or grant any entity a commercial advantage.

The establishment of the Middle East Stablecoin Association (MESA) in the Dubai International Financial Centre comes at a pivotal moment, as the digital currency sector experiences rapid growth. According to data from DeFiLlama and the Citi Institute , the global market capitalization of stablecoins currently stands at approximately $311 billion, compared to around $28 billion in 2020. Citi also projects that the stablecoin market will reach $1.9 trillion in its baseline scenario and $4 trillion in its optimistic scenario by 2030 .

In this context, the United Arab Emirates continues to consolidate its position as one of the most prominent regulatory environments supporting digital assets globally, with Chainalysis estimating that the country received more than $56 billion worth of crypto assets during the period covered by its report for the years 2024 and 2025, representing an annual growth of 33 percent.

The Middle East Stable Currency Association ( MESA ) chose the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as its headquarters due to its robust legal framework for non-profit organizations, its internationally recognized financial ecosystem, and its growing status as a global hub for digital finance. Dubai ranks seventh globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index and ninth globally in the fintech sector. The DIFC also boasts the region's largest innovation ecosystem, with over 1,670 companies operating in the innovation and technology sectors.

Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Middle East Stable Currency Association, said   (MESA) “Stablecoins are moving today from the margins of digital asset markets to the heart of the global financial infrastructure, supporting settlement, treasury management, cross-border payments, and programmable finance. The Middle East has a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of digital money, and the role of the Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ) is to enable the region to participate in developing global standards by fostering constructive policy dialogue, supporting responsible innovation, and establishing best practices. This establishment provides a corporate governance framework that supports the association’s educational and research efforts and its public benefit initiatives across the region.”

His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority , said: “We are delighted to welcome the Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ) to the Dubai International Financial Centre. With the establishment of the region’s first industry association dedicated to stablecoins, MESA will contribute to the development of the broader digital asset ecosystem. As the digital finance sector continues to evolve, collaboration between industry players, policymakers, and innovators will remain crucial in exploring new opportunities and fostering responsible growth. The establishment of MESA in the Dubai International Financial Centre further strengthens the Centre’s position as a leading global hub for financial innovation, providing a platform that supports the development of emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the financial sector.”

Christina Lomesti, co-chair of technology, innovation and education at MESA, added: “Stablecoins are reshaping the landscape of value transfer globally, but achieving sustainable adoption requires more than just technology; it necessitates governance, trust, education and interoperability. The Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ) will help bridge the gap between innovation and compliance by uniting market participants around operational standards and a shared understanding, supporting the development of digital currencies in a secure, transparent and globally best practice-compliant manner.”

The UAE’s digital asset ecosystem benefits from a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing the Central Bank of the UAE, the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority ( VARA ), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The Central Bank’s Payment Token Services Regulations (PTS) define the regulatory requirements for issuing, transferring, storing, and transmitting payment tokens. The DFSA recognized USDC and EURC as recognized cryptocurrencies within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2025. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the Middle East Stablecoin Association ( MESA ) will provide a neutral platform for education, research, standard development, and enhanced coordination among industry stakeholders.

Key Stations and Early Activities

Prior to its establishment in the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Middle East Stable Currency Association (MESA) had achieved significant momentum through a number of educational, research, and public interest initiatives and activities, including :

• Legal and Regulatory Research : Issuance of a research paper entitled “Towards Harmonization: An Analysis of the Regulatory Landscape of Stable Currencies across the Middle East” prepared by the Association’s Legal and Regulatory Working Group .
• Corporate treasury education : Disseminating specialized educational briefings on the role of stablecoins in corporate treasury operations .
• Educational Roundtables : Participating in hosting a closed discussion session in collaboration with Citi at the Dubai International Financial Centre, which addressed the role of stablecoins in developing corporate treasury practices .
• Corporate Communications : Representing the stablecoin sector during an investor and institutional conference in Abu Dhabi, alongside Coinbase , Polygon and GMO Trust , to provide educational insights on the role of stablecoins in the modern financial system .
• Establishing specialized committees : Establishing committees that cover legal, regulatory and compliance affairs, technology and innovation, marketing and public relations, in addition to banking and corporate treasury services.

The Middle East Stable Currency Association (MESA) invites institutions wishing to join its membership, participate in its working groups, or support its public benefit initiatives to visit its website :

www.mesaofficial.com

About the Middle East Stable Currency Association ( MESA )

The Middle East Stablecoin Association (MESA) is the region’s first non-profit sector body dedicated exclusively to stablecoins. Established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as a non-profit organization, MESA brings together market participants and engages with policymakers and regulators to promote the safe, transparent, and responsible adoption of stablecoins across the region. Through policy dialogue, education, research, standards development, and industry-wide collaboration, MESA contributes to building trust in digital currencies for the public good. MESA operates independently and does not endorse or grant any particular institution a commercial advantage.

Disclaimer regarding references to companies

The Middle East Stable Currency Association (MESA) is a non-profit organization established to serve the public interest. MESA does not promote, endorse, or give any company a commercial advantage. Where specific company names appear in this announcement, they are mentioned solely for the purpose of attribution within the context of factual reporting and industry education, and do not imply any endorsement, partnership, or commercial relationship.

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About Dubai International Financial Centre

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the world’s most prominent and advanced financial center, contributing to shaping the global financial landscape and enhancing Dubai’s reputation and standing as a leading destination for finance and business throughout the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the region’s only financial hub operating across all sectors, with 8,844 active companies. These include 1,052 regulated and supervised firms, comprising over 500 wealth and asset management companies (including 100 hedge funds), 290 banks and capital markets companies, 135 insurance and reinsurance companies, and 70 brokerage firms. As home to more than 1,677 companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, fintech, and innovation, the DIFC sets a benchmark for financial innovation and ranks among the top four fintech hubs globally.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) operates within a robust and world-class legal and regulatory framework, including the most active commercial courts in the region, ensuring effective governance and reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in the digital economy. With 50,200 financial professionals, the DIFC boasts the largest pool of talent and expertise in the region and serves as a gateway for all financial sector players to access the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

In addition to its active role in business, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) offers a comprehensive urban experience with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities, making it one of the most sought-after destinations. The new expansion project, Zabeel District – DIFC, further solidifies Dubai’s position among the top four global financial centers. Spanning 17.7 million square feet, it will accommodate over 42,000 companies and a workforce exceeding 125,000 employees. The new district will feature premium commercial office space, over one million square feet dedicated to future technologies, including the world’s largest Innovation Hub and AI Park, an expanded academy, residential buildings, hotels, a conference center, and a diverse range of retail, dining, and cultural venues, including the Digital Art Museum, the region’s first museum specializing in digital art and cutting-edge technologies.

The Dubai International Financial Centre is a platform for success based on the principle of integrity and transparency in doing business, which qualifies it to lead the future of the financial sector.

For more information, please visit difc.com , or follow us on X and LinkedIn @DIFC .

For media inquiries, please contact:

Pearson

difc@bursonglobal.com

Rasha Mazhar

Dubai International Financial Centre Authority

Public Relations Manager – Marketing and Corporate Communications

rasha.Mezher@difc.ae

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