- A stablecoin payment trial has been introduced by DDSC and Network International at a few Marks & Spencer and LuLu locations in the United Arab Emirates.
- At current POS terminals, customers can pay with DDSC by scanning QR codes using compatible cryptocurrency wallets.
- DDSC uses the ADI Chain and is pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham. Depending on their agreements, merchants may be paid in UAE dirhams or DDSC.
The UAE is taking another step toward bringing regulated assets into everyday payments. DDSC and Network International have launched an in-store stablecoin payment pilot at selected locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Marks & Spencer store in Al-Futtaim’s Dubai Festival City and the LuLu Hypermarket in Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi are now hosting the pilot. To finish purchases with DDSC customers, with wallets, simply scan a QR code created at the point-of-sale terminal.
The goal of DDSC, a stablecoin backed by the dirham of the United Arab Emirates, is to keep its value at 1:1. The token operates on the ADI Chain. Was developed through a collaboration involving International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding.
#UAE tests #AED-backed stablecoin payments at retail POS#DDSC and #NetworkInternational have launched the UAE’s first in-store pilot for AED-backed stablecoin payments, marking the first live #DDSC transactions at point-of-sale terminals in the country.
The pilot was conducted…
— Unlock Blockchain (@unlockbc) September 9, 2026
DDSC Works With Existing Payment Infrastructure
One of the key features of the pilot is that participating retailers do not need to install a separate checkout system. The payment process uses Network International’s existing point-of-sale infrastructure.
When a customer selects DDSC as the payment method, the terminal generates a QR code. The customer scans it through a supported wallet, and Network International’s payment infrastructure confirms the transaction to the merchant.
Merchants can also choose how they receive settlement. Depending on their agreement, businesses can receive payments in DDSC or have transactions settled in UAE dirhams.
Network International said it plans to expand DDSC acceptance across its wider UAE merchant network once the pilot and testing phase are completed. The company currently serves more than 240,000 merchants and over 250 financial institutions across more than 50 countries.
The development marks another step in DDSC’s move from blockchain infrastructure into real-world payments. The stablecoin launched on ADI Chain earlier this year after receiving approval under the UAE Central Bank’s Payment Token Services Regulation.
DDSC is backed by segregated reserve assets under the applicable regulatory framework, with stated use cases including payments, settlement and treasury operations.
UAE Expands Regulated Digital Asset Payments
The DDSC pilot comes as regulated stablecoins and crypto payment services continue to gain traction across the UAE.
Other recent developments include AE Coin and USDU establishing a regulated stablecoin conversion rail for institutional settlement and cross-border payments. Emirates has also introduced crypto payments for eligible UAE customers through Crypto.com Pay.
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