Startale expands to Abu Dhabi through Hub71

Startale Group has been selected for Hub71’s Digital Assets cohort and will expand into Abu Dhabi by establishing operations within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the company said. Startale was chosen as one of 27 companies from more than 2,400 global applicants for Hub71’s cohort 18, a program backed by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development that places startups inside a network of institutional partners, capital providers and regulators shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital assets 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.”

Context and program details

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 developing blockchain infrastructure projects including Soneium — built through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture with Sony Group Corporation — and Strium. The company is also advancing stablecoin initiatives, notably JPYSC in collaboration with SBI Group, alongside its USDSC stablecoin and the Startale App.

Under the Hub71+ Digital Assets program, Startale said it will focus on three core areas as it scales in Abu Dhabi:

• Blockchain infrastructure: expansion of Soneium and Strium;
• The Startale App: broadening product reach and user services;
• Stablecoin initiatives: accelerating USDSC and JPYSC in regulated markets.

Hub71 said participation for Startale places the company “within a network of institutional partners, capital providers, and regulators involved in shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital asset ecosystem.” Startale has indicated 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.

Outlook

“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.

The move aligns Startale with ADGM’s dedicated regulatory framework for digital assets and places the startup at the center of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to attract international blockchain firms. With its recent Series A funding and partnerships with Sony Group Corporation and SBI Group, Startale’s presence in Abu Dhabi will test the company’s ability to scale regulated infrastructure and stablecoin projects across Eastern and Western markets while engaging local regulators and institutional investors.