Hubpay, a leading UAE cross-border payments platform, has joined forces with Aquanow, a global digital asset infrastructure provider, to launch the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payments facility for businesses and SMEs.
This will enable businesses across multiple sectors such as real estate, manufacturing, and general trading, to accept cryptocurrency payments securely and seamlessly alongside traditional fiat transactions.
Aquanow ME FZE is regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), and Hubpay is regulated by the Financial Service Regulatory Authority (FSRA), in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). By leveraging the powerful partnership, Hubpay’s platform powered by Aquanow can offer regulated crypto payments for UAE businesses globally.
This collaboration is formed at a crucial time, as the UAE strengthens its position as a global fintech and digital assets hub, marking 42 percent year-on-year growth through cryptocurrency transactions.
By combining Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure with Hubpay’s regulated payment network, both local and global users can seamlessly transact in cryptocurrencies within a familiar payments environment.
Kevin Kilty CEO and Founder – Hubpay,
“We are thrilled to partner with Aquanow to launch the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payment gateway for businesses. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Hubpay as we expand our cross-border payment solutions across sectors. Stablecoins are a game-changer, combining the security of traditional currencies with the speed of digital assets. By integrating Aquanow’s infrastructure with our regulated network, we’re empowering businesses to transact seamlessly in both fiat and crypto—advancing the UAE’s agenda to drive economic diversification, foster fintech innovation, and position itself as a global hub for digital assets.”
Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow, added that, “We’re excited to collaborate with Hubpay to bring real-world utility to digital assets in the MENA region. Cryptocurrency is no longer just an investment tool. It’s a practical, efficient means of conducting high-value transactions. By integrating our technology with Hubpay’s regulated payments framework, we are removing friction from large-scale transactions for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.”
A boost for real estate & SMEs
One industry which will get significant benefit from this move is real estate, which has been witnessing unprecedented growth in the UAE, with resale property profits soaring to $16.33 billion in 2024.
As demand for flexible payment solutions surges, the ability to complete property transactions using cryptocurrencies will ensure fast settlement times, reduced transaction fees, and greater financial accessibility for international buyers.
The implementation of a crypto payment gateway will also enable SMEs to streamline cross-border payments, reduce transaction costs, and enhance cash flow management by reducing settlement delays and minimizing currency conversion fees.
Furthermore, this solution enables SMEs to expand their customer base by catering to global markets that prefer digital assets.
