AFS to offer stablecoin payment platform for merchants in UAE

AFS to offer stablecoin payment platform for merchants in UAE

Arab Financial Services (AFS), regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and Egypt, also holding a retail payment license in the UAE has partnered with Ternoa Blockchain to launch stablecoin and crypto payments across POS ( Point of Service) counters for UAE merchants. The partnership will expand across the GCC.

Ternoa, is a fast, secure & cost-efficient PayFi network that is designed to onboard billions of retail customers into crypto. Ternoa as per the announcement will use decentralized consumer finance protocol, Athar, a secure and cost-efficient PayFi network to onboard UAE merchants into the crypto and stablecoin era. Athar will enable stablecoin payments at Point-of-Sales (PoS) terminals.

AFS is owned by a total of 37 banks and financial institutions and services over 60 banks in more than 20 countries across the Middle East and African region.

The Athar protocol will make crypto payments easier and more accessible for every day transactions with AFS deploying the Athar solution for merchants in UAE.

Samer Soliman, AFS CEO noted that AFS is committed to driving innovation in the payments industry and expanding access to seamless, secure, and future-ready solutions.

He stated, “By integrating stablecoins and decentralized finance, we are unlocking new possibilities for merchants and consumers across the UAE, paving the way for the broader adoption of digital payments in the region.”

Ternoa CEO, Mr. Mickael Canu added, “The next big step for blockchain and digital finance is making it useful in everyday life. The payments and financial services industries are massive and bringing them onto Ethereum will open up exciting new possibilities. Our partnership using Athar with AFS will make digital payments faster, more secure, and accessible.”

AFS received UAE Retail Payment Service License in 2024

AFS recently made a strategic expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The move followed the successful acquisition of a Retail Payment Services License – Category II from the Central Bank of the UAE by Arab Financial Services L.L.C, allowing AFS to introduce a comprehensive suite of innovative and secure payment solutions tailored to the country’s dynamic financial landscape.

At the time Soliman noted that the license was a pivotal juncture in their regional expansion strategy. He noted that they were excited to launch innovative payment solutions in the country.

“Expanding into the UAE is a tremendous opportunity for us to bring our market-leading payment and fintech capabilities to a country that values innovation and security in digital financial services,” said Rizwan Khan, Managing Director for AFS UAE and Oman. “We are delighted to partner with local businesses and regulatory bodies to help nurture an inclusive digital ecosystem that meets the fast-evolving needs of the UAE and contribute to strengthening the country’s standing as a global fintech hub.”

UAE Central Bank passed stablecoin payments regulations

The UAE Central Bank in 2024 passed its stablecoin payment regulations that allowed regulated AED-backed stablecoins to be used inside the country for the purchase of products and services.

UAE based MANSA raises $10 million led by Tether

UAE based MANSA raises $10 million led by Tether

UAE based MANSA, a fintech innovator in cross-border payments, has raised $10 million in its recent funding round led by Tether, the creator of USDT stablecoin. MANSA aims to alleviate liquidity challenges for payment companies worldwide.

The company’s stablecoin-based solution offers payment providers in emerging and mature markets a flexible and reliable way to manage liquidity challenges in cross-border payments.

MANSA raised $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Tether and co-led by Polymorphic Capital with participation from other prominent investors, including Octerra Capital, Faculty Group, and Trive Digital. The fintech company has secured an additional $7 million in liquidity funding from institutions, including corporate investors, quantitative funds, and alternative investment firms.

As per the press release the funds will support the company’s further market expansion into Latin America and Southeast Asia, alongside the rollout of bespoke liquidity and ancillary solutions tailored to address complex cross-border payments needs.

“Securing $10 million in pre-seed and liquidity funding marks a significant milestone in our mission to transform the way money moves. By bringing payments on-chain and leveraging efficient liquidity solutions, we are addressing critical challenges in cross-border transactions—making payments faster, cheaper, and more reliable worldwide” said Mouloukou Sanoh, CEO and Co-Founder of MANSA. “This funding accelerates our global expansion, enabling us to empower payment companies with seamless, real-time settlement infrastructure and drive the future of payments”

Since its launch in August 2024, MANSA has gained traction by building partnerships with major payment companies across Africa, Asia, and South America. These strategic alliances have contributed to the proliferation of its instant liquidity solutions, resulting in $27 million in transaction volume to date, with nearly $11 million in on-chain transaction volume in January – reflecting a 574% growth from August 2024. MANSA leverages stablecoins, thereby reducing settlement delays and transaction costs, and giving payment providers the resources to scale their operations efficiently.

“MANSA’s vision for addressing liquidity challenges in cross-border payments aligns with our mission to create a more efficient and inclusive financial system. By leveraging USDT for real-time settlements and instant payouts, MANSA is solving critical pain points for payment companies operating in emerging markets. We are proud to collaborate with MANSA and support their efforts to reshape global payment infrastructure.” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

The newly secured funds will be instrumental in its strategic expansion into Latin America and Southeast Asia – regions where liquidity challenges hinder cross-border transactions. It intends to expand its reach and influence by enabling faster, more affordable payment solutions through scaling its liquidity infrastructure and developing strategic partnerships.

“Mansa is here to disrupt a massive traditional market with blockchain and the Web3 paradigm. Polymorphic supports extraordinary founders. The Mansa team is up to this incredible challenge. stated Vitaly Spassky, Managing Partner, Polymorphic Capital

“We invested in MANSA because of their bold, diverse, high-caliber team of visionary founders addressing critical challenges faced by payments companies in Emerging Markets. We firmly believe that decentralized finance and asset tokenization are game-changing frontier technologies. With immense market potential in emerging economies, MANSA is uniquely positioned to drive transformative impact and bridge the credit gap across Africa.” added, Ashim Egunjobi, Managing Partner, Octerra Capital

Limited a premium global banking service for stablecoin holders has raised $3 million

Limited a premium global banking service for stablecoin holders has raised $3 million

Founded by Hussein Ahmed originally from Egypt, Limited, a next-generation fintech startup offering stablecoin-based premium global banking services, has raised a $3 million pre-seed funding round led by Third Prime, with participation from The House Fund and Arche Capital.

As per the press release, the company, aims to transform how businesses and consumers worldwide interact with money by merging the best of crypto technology with the familiarity of traditional banking—minus the institutional vulnerabilities seen in failing banks or centralized exchanges.
Stablecoins have seen meteoric growth in recent years, with on-chain transaction volumes exceeding $12 trillion in 2024, far outpacing major payment networks like Visa. By placing assets in self-custody wallets, Limited users retain complete control of their funds—safeguarding them from the risks of bank collapses or platform failures.

“We believe financial services, while sometimes perceived as boring or soulless, are deeply personal,” said Hussein Ahmed, Limited’s founder and CEO. “Money is a huge part of our lives—both for businesses and individuals—and should be managed thoughtfully and elegantly. We took the best aspects of stablecoins—speed, low cost, self-custody—and merged them with a user experience similar to, and even better than, traditional banks, so our customers can stay protected, enjoy global access, and avoid the pitfalls of failed institutions.”

Third Prime, a New York and Nashville-based venture capital firm whose portfolio includes prominent fintech and crypto players like Circle, Chime, Octane, Kafene and Yellow Card led the $3 million round.

Its Co-founder and General Partner, Wes Barton, underscored the timing, “Limited’s unique approach—secure self-custody stablecoins, global banking accessibility, and a frictionless user experience—aligns perfectly with our thesis that the future of finance is decentralized, trusted, and user-centric. We have seen Hussein’s track record in building great products, and we’re convinced Limited can reshape global financial services.”

Co-leading the round with Third Prime is The House Fund, a UC Berkeley–focused venture firm founded by Jeremy Fiance—who was also an early investor in Hussein’s previous venture, Oxygen—alongside other prominent crypto and FinTech founders. Hussein originally founded Oxygen and grew it to over one million accounts. While Oxygen focused on the U.S. market leveraging traditional banking rails, Limited takes that vision a step further by integrating stablecoins and self-custody into the day-to-day global banking experience.

“We’ve witnessed Hussein’s drive to simplify complex finance solutions throughout his time at UC Berkeley Haas and with Oxygen,” said Jeremy. “Limited brings accessibility, security, and speed to a global audience.” The House Fund has also backed leading AI and FinTech infrastructure innovators, including Databricks, Perplexity, and Flexport.

Arche Capital, backed by major LPs with a focus on the intersection of crypto and fintech, also participated in the raise.

“Limited combines stability, transparency, and practical innovation to solve a critical challenge in global finance,” said Vanessa Grellet. “While many solutions remain fragmented and complicated, Limited stands out by making cross-border transactions faster, more affordable, and truly self-directed,” added William Wolf.

Inspired in part by the American Express model, Limited offers premium Visa and MasterCard options worldwide, their own, spanning White, Silver, and Gold tiers, and also enables co-branded card programs for brands seeking a global footprint. This approach lets partners easily design, launch, and fully manage customized cards that significantly boost customer engagement and loyalty—unlike typical co-branded offerings that are restricted to local or regional deployments.

Limited caters to high-end users. The Limited Gold Card comes with 24/7 global concierge services, exclusive perks like complimentary breakfasts at luxury hotels (including the Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental), free rental days at Hertz, and top-tier travel experiences that rival the best in the market. Simultaneously, the company supports instant, near-zero-fee cross-border payments in over 140 countries, using more than 300 local payment methods (such as WeChat, Pix, SPEI, GrabPay, and others) across 80 currencies.

Limited operates globally—excluding sanctioned and restricted jurisdictions—and aims to position itself as the go-to solution for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individual customers seeking a stable and efficient alternative to conventional banking.

Bahrain Minister of Finance says Bahrain is in the midst of issuing stablecoin regulations

Bahrain Minister of Finance says Bahrain is in the midst of issuing stablecoin regulations

Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa noted the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) is in the midst of finalizing regulations to govern the issuance of stablecoins.

“These assets are expected to accelerate financial transactions, reduce costs, and expand accessibility, particularly for international transactions, thereby enhancing and supporting trade,” he said responding to a question by MP Hesham Al Ashiri on cryptocurrencies.

“The CBB is currently assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of using crypto assets in payments to improve the efficiency of existing systems,” he added.

“Before issuing any new laws or regulations, the bank ensures the release of consultation papers to gather feedback from stakeholders in the sector to ensure that the proposed regulatory requirements can be effectively implemented without hindering growth and innovation,” the minister stressed.

“The bank actively monitors the cryptocurrency market in Bahrain to mitigate potential risks, ensure economic stability, and provide the highest levels of protection for investors. To achieve this, licensed service providers are required to comply with various regulatory requirements, implement effective policies and systems for service delivery, and submit periodic reports, including details of executed transactions,” he said.

The minister also highlighted that having a crypto regulatory framework has strengthened Bahrain’s position as a leading regional hub for the digital economy and cryptocurrency sector.

The Central Bank of Bahrain had announced back in December 2024 that they were studying how the banking sector could offer stablecoins.

UmrahCash and Saudi Hajj services to offer stablecoin payment solutions

UmrahCash and Saudi Hajj services to offer stablecoin payment solutions

Saudi based UmrahCash, a Blockchain fintech stablecoin issuer platform, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Muttawffys of Arabs Hajj Company (Ashraqat) aimed to revolutionize the pilgrimage experience for millions of Hajj and Umrah visitors to Saudi Arabia.

UmrahCash is a fintech platform dedicated to advancing Islamic financial inclusion. Using stablecoin technology, it simplifies currency exchange and payments for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, processing over $1 million in monthly transactions, less than a year since launch.

The partnerships will offer seamless, efficient, and innovative solutions for pilgrims allowing them to access local currency easily in Saudi Arabia, developing innovative solutions, joint marketing campaigns, and most importantly expanding the financial and logistical services available to pilgrims.

William Phelps, CEO and Founder of UmrahCash, remarked: “Pilgrimage is a sacred journey that should be enriching and seamless. Through our partnership with Ashraqat, we aim to eliminate barriers, providing pilgrims with financial and logistical support that is transparent, reliable, and in line with modern standards. Together, we are creating a future where pilgrims can focus solely on their spiritual journey.”

Founded nearly 40 years ago by royal decree, Ashraqat has revolutionized the service of Hajj pilgrims, transitioning from individual efforts to an institutionalized model.

Umrah Cash is supported by Cardano Accelerator

Cardano Blockchain accelerator Adaverse had invested and supported Umrah Cash among other startups in Saudi Arabia. Adaverse had published its first Web3 ecosystem report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showcasing growth, opportunities, as well as challenges. Since its inception, Adaverse has funded 54+ startups across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

This announcement comes as Neom, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city being built on the shores of the Red Sea has partnered with Saudi Arabian NTDP ( National Technology Development Program) and Outlier Ventures, a global Web3 accelerator, to launch the first Web3 accelerator and the FutureSpark Base Camp Demo Day.

Tokinvest and UDPN launch stablecoin management System

Tokinvest and UDPN launch stablecoin management System

Tokinvest DMCC, a marketplace for real-world asset tokenization and provisional Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) licensed brokerage, has expanded its collaboration with Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN) to launch a Tokenized Deposit and Stablecoin Management System.

The market cap of stablecoins and tokenized deposits grew to $197.5bn, up from $171.6bn at the start of November, according to rwa.xyz1, and is forecast to experience rapid expansion and diversification in the coming years. These “digital dollars” can be collateralized by a diverse range of assets including fiat currency, gold, treasuries and other tangible or financial assets. For regulated digital currency issuers, they represent a transformative opportunity to enhance liquidity, streamline cross-border transactions and dramatically speed up and reduce costs for business processes such as clearing and settlement.

Scott Thiel, CEO of Tokinvest, said, “The UAE now benefits from regulatory clarity around the launch of stablecoins under the VARA and Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE frameworks). The Tokinvest Tokenized Deposit and Stablecoin Management System provides a turnkey full-service solution to the growing list of banks, government entities, and corporates with ambitions to launch and manage their own tokenized deposit or stablecoin using what we have assessed to be the best tokenized deposit and stablecoin management platform in the world today. It also enables us to support retail businesses looking to migrate their loyalty programs from the traditional loyalty point debt model to a tokenized consumer engagement model that sits on their balance sheet as a credit.”

The solution is a bank-grade product licensed to Tokinvest under a white-label reseller and support agreement recently concluded between the parties. The Tokinvest solution provides high-availability, open APIs for core banking system integration and third-party access to all tokenised deposit / stablecoin / loyalty programs via one single management portal. It also offers leading-edge security features such as air gap minting, role-based management, private-key approval mechanisms, 2FA login, Illicit activity screening, wallet/fund freeze/unfreeze and multi-signature controls. The solution supports multiple systems and different blockchain protocols under one unified management portal.

Tim Bailey, Vice President of Global Business & Operations of UDPN co-developer Red Date Technology, added, “Having collaborated for several years with the Tokinvest leadership, we are excited to appoint them as a partner and reseller of the tokenised deposit and stablecoin platform and to support the growth and adoption of fiat referenced virtual assets and payment tokens in MENA and Africa.”

Tokinvest is committed to the responsible development of the regulated virtual assets ecosystem in the UAE. The partnership with UDPN and the launch of the Tokenised Deposit and Stablecoin Management System represents a significant milestone in that journey.

UAE Bank invests in crypto custodian Zodia Custody

UAE Bank invests in crypto custodian Zodia Custody

A leading UAE bank, Emirates NBD, has invested in a crypto custodian service provider, Zodia Custody, which is seeking to be licensed in UAE. Zodia Custody is backed by Standard Chartered, SBI holdings and others.

As per the announcement, the strategic equity investment was made by Emirates NBD’s Innovation Fund, the bank’s corporate venture fund.

Headquartered in London, Zodia Custody tailors digital asset custody solutions for institutional clients in alignment to regulatory requirements, ensuring institutions can make informed investment decisions according to market trends with the highest levels of security.

Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates NBD, stated, “Our strategic investment in Zodia Custody reflects our commitment to creating an environment where digital asset trading venues and forward-thinking institutions can interact safely, securely and without compromise. FinTech is changing the institutional landscape rapidly and we want to ensure our ongoing support to emerging technologies to bolster this growth by bridging the gap between financial services and digital assets.”

He added, “Our investment is significant in light of the UAE’s progressive approach to digital asset regulation and its ambition to become a global innovation and technology hub. Additionally, it aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 that envisages the Emirate among the top four global financial hubs and a preferred capital market in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.”

Neeraj Makin, Group Head of Strategy, Analytics and Venture Capital at Emirates NBD, said, “Emirates NBD has decades of experience in leveraging innovation to simplify banking. The investment in Zodia Custody’s robust and unique offerings positions Emirates NBD at the forefront of digital asset innovation, a trillion-dollar-asset class. The MENAT region is transforming rapidly into a key player in the crypto economy fuelled by institutional and enterprise activity and a growing appetite for DeFi and Stablecoins. In line with our vision to be a digital leader in the region, we are making strategic investments via the Innovation Fund and committed to fostering a culture of innovation.”

Julian Sawyer, CEO of Zodia Custody, said, “As the fifth bank to cast a vote of confidence in our proposition, we are beyond grateful to Emirates NBD for placing their trust in us. This investment is a monumental step forward, paving the way for Zodia Custody to become a leading player globally.”

Alex Manson, CEO of Standard Chartered Ventures, said: “Emirates NBD’s investment marks the fifth TradFi institution supporting our Digital Assets venture Zodia Custody. As we build an ecosystem of infrastructure to operate Digital Assets at institutional grade, we are grateful for this recognition, support and most importantly look forward to our partnership.”

This week as well, Emirates NBD, added, its fifth member of its Digital Asset Lab, Chainlink, the standard for onchain finance, verifiable data, and cross-chain interoperability. Chainlink will join other founding members including PwC, Fireblocks, R3 and Chainalysis.

This also comes days after UAE based Zand Bank, an AI powered digital bank, received a full VASP license from Dubai’s virtual assets regulatory authority (VARA) allowing it to offer crypto custodial services. The license allows Zand to offer crypto and digital asset custodial services to institutional investors and qualified investors.

Standard Chartered to support Paxos USDG and USDL stablecoins

Standard Chartered to support Paxos USDG and USDL stablecoins

Paxos, a regulated blockchain and tokenization infrastructure platform, has partnered with Standard Chartered to enhance Global Dollar (USDG) and Lift Dollar (USDL) reserve management. Standard Chartered will provide cash management, trading, and custody services, further strengthening the infrastructure supporting the trusted digital assets in Singapore and UAE.

Both USDG and USDL are fully backed and trusted stablecoins issued under prudential regulatory oversight. Paxos maintains rigorous standards in reserve management and exclusively holds short-term, highly liquid US government securities and cash equivalents to ensure that stablecoins maintain 1:1 parity with the US dollar. This guarantees seamless convertibility to fiat currency while reinforcing trust in Paxos’ ecosystem.

Through this collaboration, Standard Chartered will support Paxos’ global tokenization platform by offering seamless integration with a comprehensive suite of banking capabilities across transaction banking, financial markets, and securities services.

Adam Ackermann, Head of Treasury and Portfolio Management at Paxos, said, “As the stablecoin industry continues to attract the world’s leading enterprises, it’s more important than ever to ensure they have access to sophisticated, institutional-grade products. Standard Chartered’s commitment to risk management, compliance and operational efficiency across its world-class banking solutions is critical to Paxos as a regulated stablecoin issuer.”

John Collura, Global Head of Banks & Broker Dealer Sales and Head of Europe & Americas for Financing and Securities Services at Standard Chartered, added, “Our partnership with Paxos reflects Standard Chartered’s commitment to shaping the future of digital finance with trust and innovation. By providing robust cash management, trading, and custody services, we’re enabling the next generation of secure and regulated digital assets solutions that drive global adoption and economic inclusion.”

Global Dollar (USDG) is a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos Digital Singapore, and is substantively compliant with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) upcoming stablecoin regulatory framework. This ensures USDG meets the highest standards of consumer protection and regulatory compliance. Paxos International, which is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market, launched the US dollar-backed stablecoin Lift Dollar (USDL) earlier this year. USDL passes daily programmatic safe yield to its end holders.

Tether receives approval for USDT in UAE

Tether receives approval for USDT in UAE

Tether, the largest company in the digital assets industry, has announced the acceptance of USD₮ by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) as an Accepted Virtual Asset (“AVA”) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”). This approval ensures USD₮ meets the standards set by the ADGM, enabling the seamless integration of USD₮ into the approved services of licensed entities in ADGM and supporting the diversification and modernization of the UAE’s financial landscape.

This approval enables Authorized Persons operating and licensed by the FSRA to offer pre-approved services related to USD₮, advancing the region’s leadership in digital asset innovation. This announcement comes amid the rising adoption of digital currencies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reflecting the nation’s proactive approach to integrating traditional and digital finance.

“This milestone underscores Tether’s commitment to fostering global financial inclusion and innovation. By bringing USD₮ to the forefront of ADGM’s regulated virtual asset framework, we are not only validating the importance of stablecoins as critical tools for modern finance but also opening new doors for collaboration and growth across the Middle East,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “The UAE’s forward-thinking approach to virtual asset regulation sets a global benchmark, and we are proud that USD₮ can play a pivotal role in driving economic progress and digital transformation in the region. This approval highlights Tether’s dedication to building bridges between traditional and decentralized economies while ensuring security, trust, and efficiency for users worldwide.”

First Abu Dhabi Bank to use RWA tokens as collateral for stablecoin lending

First Abu Dhabi Bank to use RWA tokens as collateral for stablecoin lending

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), a leading UAE bank with asset of $335 billion, has partnered with UAE based Libre Capital to offer digital tokens as collateral for its blockchain based lending program.

As per the article in CoinDesk, the new initiative enables approved lenders to use real world asset (RWA) tokens as collateral for stablecoin lending. These tokens represent digitized versions of traditional investment products, including funds from established firms like Brevan Howard, Hamilton Lane, and BlackRock.

Libre Capital, which began operations in March 2024, has already issued approximately $150 million worth of tokenized assets. These include various investment vehicles, such as Brevan Howard funds, Hamilton Lane’s fixed-income products, and a BlackRock money-market fund.

The program operates across multiple blockchain networks, demonstrating its broad technological reach. These networks include Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, NEAR, Aptos, and Coinbase’s layer-2 network BASE, providing flexibility and accessibility for users.

The initiative falls under Libre’s “Project HODL,” which stands for High-Yield Optimized Decentralized Liquidity. This project aims to create new utility for assets under management through collateralized lending mechanisms.

Dr. Avtar Sehra, founder and CEO of Libre, explained the technical aspects of the program stating, “We’ve been working on adding utility to our AUM in the form of collateralized lending,” he said. “It’s an on-chain infrastructure that allows these RWAs to be used as collateral.”

The lending process operates exclusively in stablecoins rather than traditional fiat currency. T

Sameh Al Qubaisi, group head of global markets at FAB, emphasized the bank’s commitment to innovation through this initiative. The program includes automated processes designed to ensure proper risk management and regulatory compliance.

The partnership creates new opportunities for holders of crypto assets who want to use their tokens as collateral. This practice has become increasingly popular in the cryptocurrency space, and First Abu Dhabi Bank involvement brings traditional banking infrastructure to support it.

The technical implementation includes credit lines provided through existing lenders, such as broker dealers and Laser Digital. FAB’s role involves handling liquidity through lending credit lines on Libre’s assets across various blockchain networks.

Prior to that MANTRA, a layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) partnered with Libre Capital, a UAE-headquartered financial instruments tokenization and issuance platform, to provide investors with onchain access to a diverse range of attractive investment funds.

As per the partnership Libre Capital will provide those MANTRA users that are institutional or accredited investors with investment opportunities across a number of notable onchain funds, including leading hedge funds, private credit funds and money market funds.