Startale expands to Abu Dhabi through Hub71
Startale expands to Abu Dhabi through Hub71 
Cryptocurrency Apr 20, 2026 Share
Startale Group is expanding into Abu Dhabi after being selected for the Digital Assets cohort at Hub71, according to information shared with Finbold on Monday, April 20.
The move will see Startale establish operations within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial center that has introduced a dedicated regulatory framework for digital assets and attracted a growing number of international blockchain firms. The Hub71 program is backed by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Startale was selected as one of 27 companies from more than 2,400 global applicants. According to the company, participation in Hub71 places it within a network of institutional partners, capital providers, and regulators involved in shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital asset ecosystem.
“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”.
Expansion follows funding round and ecosystem development
The Abu Dhabi expansion follows Startale’s $63 million Series A funding round, which the company said will support the 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. The company is also advancing Strium and stablecoin initiatives, including JPYSC, in collaboration with SBI Group, alongside its USDSC stablecoin and the Startale App.
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Under the Hub71+ Digital Assets program, Startale plans to expand three areas of its ecosystem: blockchain infrastructure through Soneium and Strium, its Startale App, and its stablecoin initiatives USDSC (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,” said Divya Claudia Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71.
Startale said it plans to deploy personnel in Abu Dhabi and work closely with regulators, investors, and partners through Hub71 as it expands across the Middle East and global markets.
Featured image via Shutterstock.
