UAE retailers pilot DDSC stablecoin payments at select stores

UAE retailers have begun testing a Central Bank‑licensed, dirham‑backed stablecoin called DDSC in a live in‑store pilot. The trial uses existing point‑of‑sale (POS) terminals at selected Marks & Spencer and LuLu locations, enabling customers to pay by scanning a QR code with a supported wallet.

How the pilot works

When a shopper selects DDSC at checkout, the POS device generates a QR code. The customer scans the code with a compatible wallet, and the transaction is processed through Network International’s payment infrastructure. Merchants can choose to receive settlement either in DDSC or in UAE dirhams, according to pre‑agreed arrangements.

Participating locations

• Marks & Spencer branch at Al‑Futtaim’s Dubai Festival City (Dubai)
• LuLu Hypermarket at Khalidiyah Mall (Abu Dhabi)

Key participants

• DDSC – a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham, operating on ADI Chain.
• Network International – payment processor handling the POS integration and planning broader rollout.
• International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding – developers of the DDSC token.
• ADI Chain – the blockchain platform hosting DDSC.

Future expansion

Network International, which serves over 240,000 merchants globally, intends to expand DDSC acceptance across its UAE merchant network after the pilot concludes. No specific timeline for wider rollout has been disclosed.

Context of regulated stablecoins in the UAE

The DDSC pilot follows the token’s launch earlier this year after receiving Central Bank of the UAE licensing under the Payment Token Services Regulation. Other regulated stablecoins, such as AE Coin (dirham‑backed) and USDU (U.S.‑dollar‑backed), have also entered UAE payment channels, and airlines like Emirates have begun accepting crypto‑based payments through Crypto.com Pay.