DDSC Stablecoin Enters UAE Retail Payment Pilot

Published: 2026-09-09 07:43:37 |

DDSC and Network International have launched the UAE’s first in-store pilot for payments using a Central Bank-licensed, UAE dirham-backed stablecoin. Customers can use supported wallets to scan QR codes generated by existing point-of-sale terminals at a Marks & Spencer store in Dubai Festival City and a LuLu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi’s Khalidiyah Mall. The DDSC stablecoin is pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham and operates on ADI Chain. Merchants can choose to settle transactions in DDSC or UAE dirhams, without installing new checkout infrastructure. Network International plans to expand DDSC acceptance across its UAE merchant network after testing, which includes more than 240,000 merchants and over 250 financial institutions across more than 50 countries. DDSC was launched in February after receiving approval under the UAE central bank’s Payment Token Services Regulation. It was developed by International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding. The pilot marks a shift from blockchain settlement and treasury use cases toward everyday retail payments. For crypto traders, the development strengthens the use case for regulated, fiat-backed stablecoins in the UAE. However, the pilot remains limited to two locations, and no expansion timetable has been announced. Its market impact is therefore likely to be gradual rather than immediate.

Neutral

The news is neutral for the broader cryptocurrency market because it represents a small, controlled retail pilot rather than a large source of immediate buying demand. DDSC is fully pegged to the UAE dirham, so its design aims for payment stability rather than price appreciation. The pilot is also limited to two retailers, with no confirmed timetable for wider deployment. In the short term, the announcement may improve sentiment around regulated stablecoins, UAE payment infrastructure and ADI Chain. It could increase attention toward DDSC and related ecosystem projects, but it is unlikely to materially affect major assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Traders may also remain cautious until transaction volumes, wallet participation and merchant retention data are disclosed. Over the longer term, broader adoption through Network International’s network could support stablecoin transaction volumes and strengthen the practical utility of DDSC and ADI Chain. Similar stablecoin payment announcements have typically produced stronger fundamental narratives than immediate price moves. The main catalysts would be expansion beyond the initial stores, integration with more wallets and evidence of recurring consumer usage. Conversely, regulatory limits, low adoption or technical failures could restrict the impact.