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Middle East Stablecoin Association incorporates in DIFC
15 July 2026 UAE
Image: creativefamily/stock.adobe.com
The Middle East Stablecoin Association (MESA), a regional body dedicated to the digital currency type, has been incorporated as a non-profit organisation in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which serves the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
With the incorporation, MESA will focus on what it deems responsible stablecoin adoption, policy dialogue, education, research, standards development, and international knowledge exchange.
The regional body says it exists to convene stablecoin issuers, infrastructure providers, and other market participants, and to engage policymakers and regulators, in support of the “safe, transparent, and interoperable growth” of digital money across the Middle East.
It claims to operate in the public interest, not promoting, endorsing, or conferring commercial advantage on any individual organisation.
DIFC was selected as MESA’s place of incorporation due to its established legal framework for non-profit organisations, recognised financial ecosystem, and role as a global centre for digital finance.
Speaking on the initiative, Bhaskar Dasgupta, chairman of MESA, says: “MESA's role is to help the region become a standard-setter rather than a standard-taker, aligning industry participants around credible standards, informed policy dialogue and responsible innovation.”
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, adds: “We are pleased to welcome The Middle East Stablecoin Association to DIFC as it establishes the region’s first dedicated industry association focused on stablecoins, while also contributing to the development of the wider digital assets ecosystem.”
Kristiina Lumeste, co-chair of technology, innovation, and education at MESA, comments: “MESA will help bridge innovation and compliance by bringing market participants together around practical standards and shared understanding, so that digital money can develop in a way that is secure, transparent and globally aligned.”
With the incorporation, MESA will focus on what it deems responsible stablecoin adoption, policy dialogue, education, research, standards development, and international knowledge exchange.
The regional body says it exists to convene stablecoin issuers, infrastructure providers, and other market participants, and to engage policymakers and regulators, in support of the “safe, transparent, and interoperable growth” of digital money across the Middle East.
It claims to operate in the public interest, not promoting, endorsing, or conferring commercial advantage on any individual organisation.
DIFC was selected as MESA’s place of incorporation due to its established legal framework for non-profit organisations, recognised financial ecosystem, and role as a global centre for digital finance.
Speaking on the initiative, Bhaskar Dasgupta, chairman of MESA, says: “MESA's role is to help the region become a standard-setter rather than a standard-taker, aligning industry participants around credible standards, informed policy dialogue and responsible innovation.”
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, adds: “We are pleased to welcome The Middle East Stablecoin Association to DIFC as it establishes the region’s first dedicated industry association focused on stablecoins, while also contributing to the development of the wider digital assets ecosystem.”
Kristiina Lumeste, co-chair of technology, innovation, and education at MESA, comments: “MESA will help bridge innovation and compliance by bringing market participants together around practical standards and shared understanding, so that digital money can develop in a way that is secure, transparent and globally aligned.”
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