Adyen has secured a UAE Central Bank Retail Payment Services license, enabling direct local payment settlements and expanding its fintech operations across the UAE.
The license marks a significant milestone for the global fintech, which has operated in the UAE since 2020 and provides payment services to businesses, including Careem, Ellington Properties, Gargash Group, Noon, and Ziina.
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With the regulatory approval, Adyen will be able to manage local payment settlements directly without relying on third-party providers, giving the company greater control over settlement, compliance, and payment processing.
The move is expected to improve transaction efficiency while providing merchants with a more secure and locally integrated payments experience.
The license also positions Adyen to expand its product offering in the UAE, including fraud prevention, alternative payment methods, unified commerce solutions, and future AI-driven payment technologies.
“Adyen has always taken a long-term view toward responsible innovation,” said Mariëtte Swart, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Adyen.
“Technology alone isn’t enough to serve large enterprises and platforms; it requires a solid, owned foundation that removes middlemen and protects customers from third-party risk. This owned infrastructure means fewer risks, more control, and the ability to scale with speed and confidence.”
She added that the UAE license reinforces Adyen’s commitment to compliant growth while creating a stronger foundation for future financial technology innovation.
The approval comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a regional fintech hub through progressive regulation and investment in digital financial infrastructure.
“The UAE is a dynamic market for digital commerce,” said Daumantas Grigaravicius, Head of Middle East at Adyen.
“This license marks a major step forward in our growth journey. We can now offer even greater control, reliability, and innovation through our local operations while maintaining the same single-platform approach. This complements the country’s wider push to accelerate its digital economy.”
The new authorization enhances Adyen’s ability to support both domestic and international businesses operating in the UAE, where demand for digital payment solutions continues to grow alongside the expansion of e-commerce and cashless transactions.
The development also reflects a broader trend of global fintech companies seeking direct regulatory licenses across the Gulf as governments modernize payment infrastructure and strengthen oversight of digital financial services.
For merchants, locally licensed payment providers offer faster settlements, improved regulatory compliance, and greater operational resilience. For Adyen, the approval strengthens its competitive position in the Middle East as enterprises increasingly seek unified payment platforms capable of supporting both local and cross-border commerce.
Why Adyen Payment License Matters to MENA
The approval reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading fintech hub, where regulators are enabling global payment companies to establish licensed local operations.
As digital commerce accelerates across the Gulf, direct payment infrastructure is becoming essential for faster settlements, stronger compliance, and more secure financial services.
The move also reflects a broader trend of international fintech firms investing in regulated operations across MENA, supporting the region’s transition toward cashless economies and more advanced digital payment ecosystems.
