Network International launches UAE stablecoin payments

By Vriti Gothi

Network International has launched the UAE’s first regulated stablecoin payment platform through a partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank (MBank), marking a significant step in the country’s evolving digital payments landscape.

Under a memorandum of understanding between the two firms, AE Coin the UAE’s first fully reserved, Central Bank-licensed stablecoin pegged to the dirham, will be integrated into Network International’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals and eCommerce payment infrastructure. The integration enables merchants across the UAE to accept AE Coin for both in-store and online transactions, using existing payment systems.

The launch comes as the UAE accelerates regulatory development around digital assets, creating a framework for stablecoins to be used beyond investment or trading use cases. By embedding a dirham-linked stablecoin into mainstream merchant acceptance, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between regulated digital currencies and everyday commerce.

MBank Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Wassim Khayata said the collaboration expands regulated digital payment choices for both merchants and consumers, aligning with the UAE’s broader ambition to modernise its financial infrastructure.

AE Coin’s management noted that the integration demonstrates how a Central Bank-licensed stablecoin can operate within existing payment rails, addressing a key challenge for digital currencies seeking real-world adoption.

For Network International, the move strengthens its role in next-generation payments across the Middle East and Africa, adding stablecoins to its portfolio of card and digital payment solutions. For merchants, the acceptance of AE Coin introduces an additional, dirham-denominated digital payment option without requiring changes to existing checkout processes.

While large-scale adoption of stablecoin payments will depend on merchant and consumer uptake, the initiative represents a tangible step towards regulated digital currencies becoming part of everyday transactions in the UAE. As regulatory clarity improves and infrastructure matures, such integrations could play a defining role in shaping the future of digital money in the region.