Hubpay & Aquanow launch UAE’s first regulated crypto payments for businesses

By Gloria Methri

Hubpay, a cross-border payments platform, has partnered with Aquanow to introduce the UAE’s first fully regulated crypto payments facility tailored for businesses and SMEs. This collaboration will allow businesses across various sectors – including 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 integrating 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.

Speaking on the partnership, Kevin Kilty, CEO and Founder of Hubpay, added, “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 are 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.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Hubpay to bring real-world utility to digital assets in the MENA region,” said Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow. “Cryptocurrency is no longer just an investment tool. It is 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.”

One sector which will expectedly benefit from this move is real estate, which has been experiencing unprecedented growth in the UAE, with resale property profits soaring to $16.33 billion in 2024. As demand for flexible payment solutions increases, the ability to complete property transactions using cryptocurrencies will ensure fast settlement times, reduced transaction fees, and greater financial accessibility for international buyers.

Beyond real estate, implementing a crypto payment gateway will enable SMEs to streamline cross-border payments, reduce transaction costs, and improve cash flow management by reducing settlement delays and minimising currency conversion fees. This solution also allows SMEs to expand their customer base by catering to global markets that prefer digital assets.