Mastercard has announced new strategic alliances in the Middle East to accelerate blockchain-based asset tokenization and stablecoin-enabled payment solutions, reinforcing the region’s growing role in digital finance. Central to this effort is a collaboration with the Abu Dhabi–based ADI Foundation, which focuses on empowering governments and institutions through compliant blockchain infrastructure.
The alliance supports the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for digital assets and blockchain technology, while enabling faster, more transparent, and resilient payment solutions for financial institutions, fintechs, merchants, and consumers. Initial areas of collaboration include stablecoin-based settlement for domestic and cross-border payments, stablecoin-linked cards, tokenized real-world assets, and blockchain-enabled remittance and B2B trade flows.
Mastercard said the initiative is designed to advance interoperability, strengthen regulatory compliance, and scale secure, decentralized blockchain infrastructure across financial ecosystems. The announcement follows Mastercard’s expanded partnership with Circle, which enables USDC and EURC stablecoin settlement for acquirers across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
NEO PAY in the UAE and INFINIOS in Bahrain have joined as the latest partners adopting stablecoin settlement capabilities. INFINIOS will use stablecoins for both funding and settlement, working closely with financial institutions to expand services across the region. Mastercard said its approach to blockchain innovation remains focused on utility, scalability, and regulatory alignment, positioning the company as a trusted bridge between traditional finance and emerging digital asset ecosystems.
