Universal announces USDU as the first USD‑backed stablecoin registered by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates for compliant digital‑asset settlement.
Universal Digital Intl Limited, regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), announces in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 29, 2026, that USDU is registered by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token under the Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR), making Universal the first Registered Foreign Payment Token Issuer in the UAE; reserves are held 1:1 in safeguarded onshore accounts at Emirates NBD and Mashreq with Mbank as a strategic banking partner. Aquanow is appointed as global distribution partner and USDU–AECoin conversion will support domestic settlement mechanisms.
This matters because USDU provides a regulated, USD‑denominated settlement option for digital assets in the UAE—where payments for digital assets and derivatives must be conducted in fiat or a Registered Foreign Payment Token—supporting institutional uptake, transparency (monthly reserve attestations) and interoperability where permitted by local regulation; Juha Viitala, CEO of Universal, says USDU “sets a new benchmark for regulated digital value.” Availability and use are subject to UAE regulatory requirements and integrations with institutional partners and market infrastructures.
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🧭 FAQs
• What is USDU’s regulatory status in the UAE? USDU is the first USD‑backed stablecoin registered by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token.
• When was USDU launched locally? Universal announced USDU in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 29, 2026.
• Where are USDU reserves held and attested? Reserves are held 1:1 at Emirates NBD and Mashreq and independently attested monthly.
• How can UAE institutions access USDU? Aquanow is the global distribution partner enabling institutional access across UAE and other regulated markets.