UAE central bank–sanctioned US dollar stablecoin launches to boost digital-asset settlement

Universal Digital Intl Limited has launched USDU, claiming it is the first U.S. dollar stablecoin sanctioned by the Central Bank of the UAE, making it the first token registered under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR).

Universal aims for USDU to be a compliant, U.S. dollar-denominated settlement token, as UAE rules mandate that digital-asset and derivatives transactions must settle in fiat or via a Registered Foreign Payment Token. The stablecoin is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves held at institutions like Emirates NBD, Mbank, and Mashreq.

Furthermore, Universal partnered with Aquanow, regulated by Dubai’s VARA, to integrate USDU into the broader digital-asset ecosystem. This development follows Circle, the issuer of USDC, securing a license in Abu Dhabi in December to expand regulated payment and settlement services in the UAE.

(Source：The Block)