Crypto.com and Abu Dhabi-based virtual asset service provider Changer.ae have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore expanding regulated digital asset services across the United Arab Emirates. The announcement was made during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, highlighting the UAE's strategic push to become a global hub for digital finance.
The collaboration is not a binding commercial rollout but outlines areas for potential cooperation, all subject to necessary regulatory approvals. A key proposal involves integrating Crypto.com's institutional infrastructure to support liquidity for Changer's crypto-to-fiat conversion services. The partnership will also assess initiatives to broaden access to regulated custody and related digital-asset infrastructure, operating firmly within the UAE's established regulatory frameworks.
Officials from both companies emphasized the synergy of combining Crypto.com's global scale and compliance expertise with Changer.ae's local market knowledge and regulatory standing within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). "This partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to foster innovation in financial services while maintaining strong regulatory oversight," said Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com.
Changer.ae is a Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)-licensed provider in the ADGM, having secured its Financial Services Permission in recent years. The partnership leverages these credentials to offer secure, compliant access to digital assets. "Through this collaboration with Crypto.com, we aim to broaden secure and compliant access to digital assets for users and businesses," stated Hao Wang, CFA, Senior Executive Officer at Changer.
For Crypto.com, this MoU represents a continued strategic focus on regulated expansion in the Middle East, prioritizing jurisdictions with clear digital asset rules like the UAE. The deal underscores a market shift towards growth driven by infrastructure, compliance, and fiat connectivity rather than speculative trading, reflecting a maturing phase in the region's crypto development.
