Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 20, 2026, Chainwire
Startale Group, the global blockchain infrastructure company, expands into Abu Dhabi after being selected Hub71s Digital Assets cohort, deepening alignment with one of the world’s fastest-growing state-backed crypto ecosystems.
Through the program, supported by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic DevelopmentStartale will set up activities there Abu Dhabi World Market (ADGM)a financial center that has developed a regulatory framework for digital assets and attracted blockchain companies around the world.
Startale was selected as one of 27 companies from more than 2,400 global applicants. Joining Hub71 brings the company into 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 responsibly scale the Startale ecosystem,” said Sota WatanabeCEO of Startale Group. “Abu Dhabi is becoming a major hub for digital assets, and joining this cohort will allow us to expand into the eastern and western markets, working closely with regulators and institutional partners.”
The expansion follows Startale’s $63 million Series A funding round, which will allow the company to accelerate 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, and is advancing Strium and stablecoin initiatives, including JPYSC, in partnership with SBI Group, in addition to its USDSC stablecoin and Startale App.
By anchoring itself in ADGM, Startale positions itself within a jurisdiction increasingly used by crypto companies 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, the Startale app, and the USDSC and JPYSC stablecoin initiatives.
“We are excited to welcome Startale Group to Hub71’s Cohort 18. Their focus on digital asset infrastructure reflects the strength of our specialized ecosystems and the caliber of founders choosing Abu Dhabi as a springboard for global growth. We look forward to supporting their expansion.” — Divya Claudia Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71.
Startale plans to deploy staff 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.
This 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 products for consumers and developers, including the Startale app, which serves as an all-in-one gateway to the Soneium ecosystem.
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