Universal Digital (Universal), regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, has become a Foreign Payment Token Issuer registered by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) with the launch of USDU, a USD-backed stablecoin under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR).

This provides a compliant USD-denominated settlement option for digital assets in the UAE.

The PTSR allows digital-asset payments and derivatives only in fiat currency or a Registered Foreign Payment Token.

USDU’s registration establishes a clear settlement pathway for the UAE’s digital-asset market.

USDU is supported by Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and Mbank. A global accounting firm independently attests USDU’s reserves each month, which Universal holds 1:1 in safeguarded onshore accounts.

Universal is also collaborating with AECoin, a licensed AED stablecoin, to allow future USDU–AECoin conversion for domestic settlement.

Universal has partnered with Aquanow, regulated under Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), to integrate USDU into the broader digital-asset ecosystem.

“USDU sets a new benchmark for regulated digital value,”

said Juha Viitala, SEO of Universal.

“Being registered by the UAE Central Bank, and supported by leading UAE banks, gives institutions the clarity and confidence they have been waiting for.”

Universal is developing USDU for international use, enabling regulated digital-value transfers across jurisdictions where allowed and reinforcing the UAE’s position in regulated digital finance.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by arturszczybylo and macrovector via Freepik