🌍 Universal Digital Intl Limited has made a significant announcement regarding its stablecoin, USDU. On January 29, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, it was revealed that USDU is now registered by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token under the Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR). This milestone makes Universal the first Registered Foreign Payment Token Issuer in the UAE. The reserves for USDU are held on a 1:1 basis in safeguarded onshore accounts at Emirates NBD and Mashreq, with Mbank serving as a strategic banking partner. Additionally, Aquanow has been appointed as the global distribution partner, facilitating USDU–AECoin conversion to support domestic settlement mechanisms.
💼 The significance of this development lies in USDU's provision of a regulated, USD-denominated settlement option for digital assets in the UAE. In this region, payments for digital assets and derivatives must be conducted in either fiat currency or a Registered Foreign Payment Token. This regulatory framework supports institutional uptake, enhances transparency through monthly reserve attestations, and promotes interoperability where permitted by local regulations. Juha Viitala, CEO of Universal, emphasized that
USDU sets a new benchmark for regulated digital value.
However, the availability and use of USDU are subject to UAE regulatory requirements and necessitate integrations with institutional partners and market infrastructures.
📅 Key FAQs regarding USDU include its regulatory status as the first USD-backed stablecoin registered by the Central Bank of the UAE, its local launch date on January 29, 2026, the holding and attestation of reserves at Emirates NBD and Mashreq on a 1:1 basis with monthly independent attestations, and the role of Aquanow as the global distribution partner enabling institutional access across the UAE and other regulated markets.