Blockchain infrastructure company Startale Group is expanding into Abu Dhabi after being selected for Hub71’s Digital Assets cohort. The company will establish operations within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) financial center, joining 26 other firms chosen from over 2,400 global applicants. Startale plans to deploy personnel and scale its ecosystem, including its blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure, within the regulated environment.
Startale Group is expanding into Abu Dhabi after being selected for Hub71’s Digital Assets cohort. This move deepens its alignment with a state-backed crypto ecosystem.
Through the program, backed by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Startale will establish operations within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). ADGM is a financial center with a regulatory framework for digital assets.
Startale was one of 27 companies selected from more than 2,400 global applicants. Its entry places it within a network of institutional partners and regulators shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital asset strategy.
Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group, stated “Hub71 and Abu Dhabi Global Market provide the regulatory clarity and global reach we need to scale Startale’s ecosystem responsibly.” He added that joining the cohort positions the company to expand across Eastern and Western markets.
The expansion follows Startale’s $63 million Series A funding round. This positions the company to accelerate development of its blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure.
Startale is building Soneium through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture with Sony Group Corporation. It is also advancing Strium and stablecoin initiatives, including JPYSC, in collaboration with SBI Group.
By anchoring in ADGM, Startale positions itself within a jurisdiction used by crypto firms seeking clearer regulatory frameworks. The move provides closer access to institutional capital.
Under the Hub71+ Digital Assets program, Startale will expand its blockchain infrastructure, Startale App, and stablecoin initiatives. This includes USDSC and JPYSC.
Divya Claudia Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71, said the company’s focus reflects the strength of the specialist ecosystems. “We are pleased to welcome Startale Group into Hub71’s Cohort 18.”
Startale plans to deploy personnel in Abu Dhabi and work closely with regulators through Hub71’s platform. The company aims to expand across the Middle East and global markets.
The move underscores how leading blockchain infrastructure companies are aligning with government-backed ecosystems. This strategy allows them to scale within regulated environments.
