Mastercard Partners With ADI Foundation to Scale Stablecoin Use
- Mastercard and ADI Foundation target stablecoin settlement for regional payments.
- Stablecoin cards and tokenized assets support trade remittance and B2B flows in the region.
- NEO PAY and INFINIOS expand regulated stablecoin settlement across Gulf markets.
Mastercard has announced a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi–based ADI Foundation to expand stablecoin settlement and tokenized asset use cases across the Middle East. The collaboration targets regulated payment flows and blockchain-powered financial infrastructure. It places Mastercard at the center of the region’s fast-growing digital asset ecosystem while aligning with the United Arab Emirates’ digital economy goals.
The partnership focuses on stablecoin-based settlement for domestic and cross-border payments, tokenized real-world asset applications, and blockchain support for remittance and B2B trade flows. Mastercard confirmed the initiative will serve financial institutions, fintech firms, merchants, and consumers through faster and more transparent settlement. The move builds on recent regional expansions tied to stablecoin-enabled commerce.
This development comes as the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for compliant blockchain infrastructure and regulated digital assets. Mastercard’s strategy reflects a shift from pilot programs toward production-ready payment systems.
Mastercard and ADI Foundation Deepen Regional Blockchain Ties
The partnership links Mastercard’s worldwide payment system to the compliant blockchain infrastructure of the ADI Foundation. Both companies want to develop interoperability and still keep regulatory alignment in place over different areas of finance. The primary concern is still on the blockchain implementation that is both scalable and secure.
Prakriti Singh, executive vice president for core payments at Mastercard in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, outlined the company’s objectives. She said Mastercard seeks to unlock new digital asset opportunities through collaboration and innovation. Singh added that asset tokenization and stablecoin-linked applications support faster and more secure transactions.
Advancing UAE Digital Asset Ambitions
The alliance aligns closely with the UAE’s ambition to lead in digital assets and blockchain technology. Regulators in the region continue to provide frameworks that support compliant innovation. This environment allows large payment networks to scale blockchain use cases.
Ajay Bhatia, principal council member at the ADI Foundation, described the partnership as a step toward a more inclusive digital economy. He said the collaboration supports the foundation’s goal to bring one billion people into the digital economy by 2030. Bhatia added that combining compliant blockchain infrastructure with Mastercard’s expertise enables practical solutions across key industries.
Related: Polygon Powers Mastercard Move Into Verified Wallet Identities
Stablecoin Settlement Expands Across the Gulf
Mastercard has confirmed NEO PAY’s cooperation in the UAE and INFINIOS in Bahrain as part of the stablecoin settlement initiative. Their involvement means augmented operational coverage within the Gulf area. Both companies will use stablecoins for their funding and settlement processes.
NEO PAY serves merchants and enterprises across the UAE. CEO Vibhor Mundhada said stablecoins combine the reliability of fiat currency with blockchain efficiency. He stated that the collaboration offers merchants real-time settlement and broader digital liquidity.
INFINIOS, a Mastercard principal member and fintech enablement partner, will use stablecoins for funding and settlement. CEO Sherif Abdelsalam stated that the partnership supports a secure and scalable ecosystem for businesses and consumers. He added that stablecoins can unlock new cross-border commerce opportunities.
This expansion follows Mastercard’s recent partnership growth with Circle. That initiative enabled USDC and EURC settlement for acquirers across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Mastercard continues to extend stablecoin settlement within regulated frameworks, supporting enterprise payments and cross-border liquidity flows.
