Network International Begins UAE Stablecoin Payment Pilot

Network International has begun what it describes as the UAE’s first in-store pilot for AED-backed DDSC stablecoin payments, allowing customers to pay through QR codes displayed on existing point-of-sale terminals.

The pilot went live on September 9th at the Marks & Spencer branch in Dubai Festival City and LuLu Hypermarket in Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi. Customers using DDSC-supported wallets scan a QR code, confirm the transaction and receive payment confirmation through Network International’s existing infrastructure.

Merchants can settle transactions either in DDSC, transferred to a DDSC-supported wallet, or in UAE dirhams. Network International plans to expand DDSC acceptance across its UAE merchant network after the pilot phase.

DDSC was developed by International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding. The stablecoin is pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham, settles on ADI Chain and is the first fully Central Bank of the UAE-licensed AED-backed stablecoin.

“Through DDSC, we look forward to reducing the cost and complexity of money movement for our merchants, while providing them with more ways to accept and settle payments,” said Murat Cagri Suzer, Group CEO of Network International.

Network International serves clients across 56 countries, while the companies behind DDSC are positioning the pilot as a step towards bringing regulated digital-asset payments into everyday retail use.