The United Arab Emirates has taken another major step in institutional digital finance after Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) completed a 110 million dirham ($30 million) transaction using the DDSC stablecoin on ADI Chain, marking one of the largest publicly disclosed stablecoin transfers in the country’s history.
The transaction represents the first large-scale corporate deployment of a UAE Central Bank-regulated dirham-backed stablecoin, underscoring the country’s growing ambitions to position itself as a global hub for regulated digital asset infrastructure.
DDSC was launched through a collaboration between International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Sirius International Holding, while the blockchain infrastructure is powered by ADI Foundation through its institutional-focused ADI Chain network.
Industry observers say the transaction highlights how the UAE is accelerating the transition from regulatory approval to real-world institutional deployment of stablecoin infrastructure.
Institutional Stablecoin Adoption Moves Into Production
The 110 million dirham transfer was executed on ADI Chain, a layer-2 blockchain designed for institutional payment settlement, treasury operations, and cross-border financial activity.
Unlike retail-oriented stablecoins such as USDT or USDC, DDSC has been developed specifically for regulated institutional use cases. The dirham-backed token operates under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation framework and has received approval from the UAE Central Bank.
The transaction is seen as a significant validation of the UAE’s regulated digital payment ecosystem, particularly as governments and financial institutions worldwide increase efforts to integrate blockchain-based settlement systems into traditional finance.
According to IHC, the transaction demonstrated that the infrastructure is capable of supporting institutional-scale financial activity in live production environments rather than remaining at pilot or proof-of-concept stage.
“This transaction demonstrates that the UAE’s digital infrastructure is live, resilient, and ready to support real institutional financial activity,” said Syed Basar Shueb, chief executive of IHC.
Why the Transaction Matters
The scale and backing behind the transfer have drawn attention across the financial sector.
International Holding Company is the Middle East’s most valuable holding company, with a market capitalization exceeding $233 billion. The firm is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and is backed by the Royal Group, the private investment office associated with Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.
Analysts say the involvement of such a major institution signals increasing confidence in regulated blockchain settlement infrastructure across the Gulf region.
The transaction also positions the UAE among the first countries in the Gulf to deploy sovereign currency-backed stablecoin infrastructure at institutional scale, potentially strengthening the country’s role in regional trade finance and international payment corridors.
ADI Chain and UAE Regulatory Push
ADI Chain, developed by ADI Foundation, was designed to bridge traditional finance with blockchain-based settlement systems. The foundation says the network already maintains partnerships with governments in more than 20 countries.
The UAE’s broader digital asset strategy has increasingly focused on regulated stablecoins and institutional blockchain infrastructure rather than speculative retail crypto activity.
Earlier in 2026, Universal Digital launched USDU, described as the first US dollar-backed stablecoin registered under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation framework.
Together, DDSC and USDU reflect the UAE’s dual-track approach to stablecoin development, combining both dirham-backed and dollar-backed digital payment systems under central bank oversight.
UAE Expands Role in Global Stablecoin Market
The DDSC transaction comes as the global stablecoin sector continues to expand rapidly, with institutional adoption accelerating across major financial markets.
The UAE has increasingly attracted crypto exchanges, fintech firms, and institutional investors seeking regulatory clarity and licensed digital asset operations tied to payments, custody, and cross-border settlements.
Market participants say the latest transaction demonstrates how the UAE is pursuing a top-down strategy for stablecoin adoption by integrating sovereign-backed regulation with institutional participation from the outset.
Future plans for DDSC and ADI Chain are expected to focus on expanding payment corridors connecting the Middle East with Asia, Africa, and international trade finance markets.
