(PRESS RELEASE – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 20, 2026)
Startale Group, the global blockchain infrastructure company, is expanding into Abu Dhabi after being selected for Hub71’s digital asset cohort, deepening its alignment with one of the world’s fastest-growing state-backed crypto ecosystems.
Through this program, supported by Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Startale will establish operations within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial center that has developed a regulatory framework for digital assets and has attracted blockchain companies across the world.
Startale was selected among 27 companies from more than 2,400 global applicants. Its entry into Hub71 places the company within a network of institutional partners, capital providers and regulators shaping Abu Dhabi’s digital assets strategy.
“Hub71 and Abu Dhabi Global Market provide the regulatory clarity and global reach we need to responsibly scale the Startale ecosystem,” said Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group. “Abu Dhabi is emerging as a key hub for digital assets, and joining this cohort allows us to expand across Eastern and Western markets, working closely with regulators and institutional partners.”
The expansion follows Startale’s $63 million Series A funding round, allowing 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 advancing the Strium and stablecoin initiatives, including JPYSC, in collaboration with SBI Group, alongside its USDSC stablecoin and Startale app.
By anchoring itself in ADGM, Startale is positioning itself in a jurisdiction increasingly used by crypto companies seeking clearer regulatory frameworks and closer access to institutional capital.
As part of the Hub71+ Digital Assets program, Startale will expand in three areas of its ecosystem, including blockchain infrastructure through Soneium and Strium, its Startale app, and stablecoin initiatives USDSC and JPYSC.
“We are delighted to welcome Startale Group to Hub71 Cohort 18. The focus on digital asset infrastructure reflects the strength of our specialist ecosystems and the caliber of founders who have chosen Abu Dhabi as a launch pad for global growth. We look forward to supporting their expansion.” — Divya Claudia Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71.
Startale plans to deploy staff to Abu Dhabi and work closely with regulators, investors and partners through the Hub71 platform as it expands across the Middle East and global markets.
The move highlights how major blockchain infrastructure companies are increasingly aligning themselves with government-backed ecosystems to operate in regulated environments.
About Startale Group
Startale Group is a global crypto infrastructure company on a mission to build the next civilization by putting 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 creates 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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