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UAE Central Bank Registers USDU as First USD-Backed Stablecoin for Regulated Settlement

Direct registration under the Payment Token Services Regulation gives institutions a compliant dollar instrument for digital‑asset transactions.

Overview

  • Universal Digital became the first Foreign Payment Token Issuer registered by the central bank, with USDU issued by an FSRA‑regulated ADGM entity.
  • USDU reserves are held 1:1 in safeguarded onshore accounts at Emirates NBD and Mashreq with support from Mbank, with monthly attestations in place.
  • Under the UAE framework, digital‑asset payments must use fiat or a Registered Foreign Payment Token, and USDU now fills that settlement role.
  • Aquanow was appointed as a global distribution partner to facilitate institutional access to USDU in permitted jurisdictions.
  • Central‑bank registration provides USDU a settlement status that ADGM‑licensed stablecoins such as USDC do not have in the local market.