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- USDU is the first USD stablecoin registered by the UAE central bank under PTSR.
- OSL raised $200M to expand stablecoin payments and settlement services.
- Institutions are driving demand for compliant digital dollar infrastructure.
The race to build regulated, institution-ready stablecoins is accelerating, with major developments emerging from both the Middle East and Asia. Abu Dhabi-based Universal Digital has launched USDU, the first US dollar-backed stablecoin registered by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) under the country’s Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR). At the same time, Hong Kong–listed OSL Group has raised $200 million in equity financing to expand its global stablecoin trading and payment businesses.
Together, the moves highlight how large financial hubs are pushing stablecoins deeper into regulated payment and settlement infrastructure.
USDU Becomes First USD Stablecoin Registered by UAE Central Bank
Universal Digital says USDU is the first US dollar stablecoin to receive registration as a Foreign Payment Token under the CBUAE’s PTSR, making the company the UAE’s first officially recognized Foreign Payment Token Issuer.
Universal is already regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to issue a fiat-referenced token and is now also registered with the central bank for payment-token activity. According to company executives, this dual oversight strengthens standards around reserve custody, governance, disclosures, and operational controls.
For UAE-based banks, brokers, and licensed trading venues, USDU provides a central-bank-recognized dollar token that fits into existing compliance, settlement, and reporting workflows. Under PTSR rules, payments for digital assets and derivatives must be conducted in fiat or a registered foreign payment token.
While stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are widely used in the UAE, they are not registered under the PTSR framework.
Conservative Reserves and Institutional Design
USDU is issued as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum and is targeted at institutional and professional users. Reserves are fully backed 1:1 by US dollars held in safeguarded onshore accounts at Emirates NBD and Mashreq, with Mbank acting as a strategic banking partner. A global accounting firm provides monthly independent attestations.
Universal is also working with AE Coin, the UAE’s dirham-denominated stablecoin, to enable future conversions between USDU and AE Coin for domestic settlement.
Aquanow, regulated by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, has been appointed as USDU’s global distribution partner.
OSL Raises $200M to Scale Stablecoin Payments Globally
In Asia, OSL Group announced a $200 million equity raise to strengthen its balance sheet and accelerate growth across regulated digital payment and settlement services. The funds will support acquisitions, international expansion, and further investment in products and infrastructure.
OSL already operates licensed OTC trading, custody, and tokenized wealth platforms under Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission. The company has also launched USDGO, a US dollar-backed stablecoin, and introduced OSL BizPay, a B2B payments platform for corporate and institutional clients.
The raise follows OSL’s record $300 million financing round in July 2025.
These developments arrive amid increasing global focus on compliant stablecoins, including Tether’s launch of USAt for the U.S. market through Anchorage Digital Bank.
Also Read: Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin Approved for Institutional Use in UAE
As governments clarify rules and institutions demand regulatory certainty, stablecoins are evolving from trading tools into regulated payment rails.
The launch of USDU and OSL’s fresh capital injection show how regulated stablecoins are moving closer to the core of global financial infrastructure. For institutions, the future of digital dollars increasingly depends not just on liquidity—but on compliance.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
