Startale Expands to Abu Dhabi, Aligning With UAE’s State-Backed Crypto Push
Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 20th, 2026, Chainwire
Startale Group, the global blockchain infrastructure company, is expanding into Abu Dhabi after being selected for Hub71’s Digital Assets cohort, deepening its alignment with one of the world’s fastest-growing state-backed crypto ecosystems.
Through the program, backed by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Startale will establish operations within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial center that has developed a regulatory framework for digital assets and has attracted blockchain firms across the globe.
Startale was selected as one of 27 companies from more than 2,400 global applicants. Its entry into Hub71 places the company within a network of institutional partners, capital providers, and regulators shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital asset strategy.
“Hub71 and Abu Dhabi Global Market provide the regulatory clarity and global reach we need to scale Startale’s ecosystem responsibly”, said Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group. “Abu Dhabi is becoming a key hub for digital assets, and joining this cohort positions us to expand across Eastern and Western markets, working closely with regulators and institutional partners”.
The expansion follows Startale’s $63 million Series A funding round, positioning the company to accelerate development of its blockchain and stablecoin infrastructure in regulated markets.
Startale is building Soneium through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture with Sony Group Corporation, and is advancing Strium and stablecoin initiatives, including JPYSC, in collaboration with SBI Group, alongside its USDSC stablecoin and Startale App.
By anchoring in ADGM, Startale positions itself within a jurisdiction increasingly used by crypto firms seeking clearer regulatory frameworks and closer access to institutional capital.
Under the Hub71+ Digital Assets program, Startale will expand across three areas of its ecosystem, including blockchain infrastructure through Soneium and Strium, its Startale App, and stablecoin initiatives USDSC and JPYSC.
“We are pleased to welcome Startale Group into Hub71’s Cohort 18. Their focus on digital asset infrastructure reflects the strength of our specialist ecosystems and the calibre of founders choosing Abu Dhabi as a launchpad for global growth. We look forward to supporting their expansion.” — Divya Claudia Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71.
Startale plans to deploy personnel in Abu Dhabi and work closely with regulators, investors, and partners through Hub71’s platform as it expands across the Middle East and global markets.
The move underscores how leading blockchain infrastructure companies are increasingly aligning with government-backed ecosystems to scale within regulated environments.
About Startale Group
Startale Group is a global crypto infrastructure company on a mission to build the next civilization by bringing the world on-chain. The company operates Astar Network, Japan’s largest public blockchain, and co-develops Soneium through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture with Sony Group Corporation. Startale also builds consumer and developer products, including the Startale App, which serves as an all-in-one gateway to the Soneium ecosystem.