UAE AE Coin and USDU automatic conversion to benefit trade finance and domestic payments
UAE regulated AED stablecoin, AE Coin, and USD Universal (USDU), a USD-backed stablecoin regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and registered by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token under the Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR), will be collaborating to develop a regulated AED–USD digital conversion framework, powered by Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank).
As per the press release, the digital conversion framework would enable near instance exchange between USD and AED denominated payment tokens. This would support the virtual asset market settlement, treasury operations, and liquidity management while maintaining compliance with domestic payment regulations.
“This collaboration advances the UAE’s vision of building a secure and efficient digital financial environment,” said Mr. Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank. “By bridging AED and USD payment tokens within a compliant structure, we are laying the groundwork for scalable digital settlement and the modernization of cross-border financial flows.”
The AE Coin USDU conversion will also build a USD trade finance stablecoin infrastructure from within the UAE. This will happen as both USDU and AE Coin plan to integrate with fintech platforms specializing in cross border trade finance, creating the foundation for a compliant multi-currency digital settlement and future trade-finance applications.
The conversion will also allow USDU holders to convert into AE Coin and top up the AEC Wallet for regulated domestic digital transactions.
Mr. Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin LLC, added that the initiative strengthens the UAE’s leadership in payment token innovation while expanding real-world financial use cases. The strategic agreement establishes a framework for further institutional integrations and new digital settlement use cases aligned with evolving regulatory standards in the UAE.
Within the ecosystem, initial access to the USDU–AE Coin conversion will be provided through Changer.ae, an-FSRA regulated digital asset custodian, and Aquanow, a VARA-licensed Broker-Dealer, facilitating compliant access and execution within the UAE’s regulatory framework.
“The future of digital finance in the UAE requires a secure, regulated bridge between local and global markets,” said Mr. Juha Viitala, Senior Executive Officer of Universal Digital INTL Limited. “As the first USD stablecoin registered under the CBUAE’s PTSR framework, USDU is positioned to deliver institutional-grade settlement. Automating conversion between USDU and AE Coin reduces friction and enables near-instant value exchange, supported by regulated providers such as Changer and Aquanow.”
