PhotonPay, an AI-powered financial infrastructure provider, has been granted a Category 3D Licence by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

The approval is the company’s first licence in the UAE.

Lewison Chen, founder and CEO of PhotonPay, said: “The UAE is one of the fastest-growing payment hubs and an essential corridor in global commerce. This license is a pivotal step towards our mission of scaling comprehensive global coverage and reflects our long-standing commitment to compliance.

“We are excited to enhance our proposition in the UAE, empowering businesses to operate globally with greater confidence and control.”

PhotonPay said the move signals a significant expansion of its footprint across the MEASA region.

The company added that the licence underscores its focus on meeting global standards for compliance, security and anti-money laundering, backed by AI-driven risk management.

PhotonPay also said the authorisation will strengthen its ability to support enterprises seeking opportunities across the Middle East, including improved regional execution and partner connectivity.

Aamir, chairman of PhotonPay Dubai. “Securing the UAE Category 3D Licence enables us to better serve corporate and professional clients with improved access to local payment rails, UAE-aligned onboarding, local payout and settlement options, and corporate payment tools designed for cross-border operations – turning expansion plans into action.”

The firm currently operates 11 offices worldwide and said it continues to deepen its local presence in key markets, using technology to enhance compliance, risk management and operational efficiency across its global payment infrastructure.

In November, PhotonPay joined Circle’s Arc public testnet to progress global payment innovation.

The Arc public testnet is claimed to be an open, developer-friendly Layer-1 blockchain intended to bring real-world economic activity onchain and evolve into an economic operating system (OS) for the internet.