Universal Digital Intl Limited (“Universal”), regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), announced that it has become the first Foreign Payment Token Issuer registered with the Central Bank of the UAE (“CBUAE”).
The announcement coincides with the launch of USDU, the first USD-backed stablecoin to be registered as a Foreign Payment Token under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation (“PTSR”).
The development represents a major step forward in the UAE’s regulated digital-asset framework, positioning USDU as the country’s first compliant USD-denominated settlement instrument for digital assets.
Under the PTSR, payments involving digital assets and digital-asset derivatives in the UAE must be settled either in fiat currency or through a Registered Foreign Payment Token.
As USDU is currently the only token registered under this framework, it offers the market a clear and compliant settlement mechanism. The launch effectively establishes the UAE’s first defined pathway for USD stablecoin settlement, an area that many global jurisdictions are still in the process of formalising.
The announcement also underscores Universal’s strategic banking relationships with Emirates NBD, Mashreq and Mbank, highlighting the institutional-grade infrastructure supporting USDU and reflecting growing confidence from leading regional banks.
USDU reserves are maintained on a 1:1 basis in safeguarded onshore accounts with Emirates NBD and Mashreq, while Mbank acts as a strategic corporate banking partner to Universal.
These reserves are independently attested on a monthly basis by a global accounting firm. This transparency aligns with emerging global best practices observed in regulated markets such as the EU, Japan and select US jurisdictions.
Universal is also working with AECoin, the UAE’s first licensed AED stablecoin, to facilitate future USDU–AECoin conversion for domestic settlement.
Universal’s go-to-market approach includes a partnership with Aquanow, a global digital-asset infrastructure provider serving institutional clients across multiple markets.
In the UAE, Aquanow is regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (“VARA”). The collaboration supports compliant adoption of USDU locally and enables swift integration into the wider digital-asset ecosystem through Aquanow’s established network of regulated service providers.
