AI People joins Dubai’s Innovation One program: Declares war on the forgetting of humanity
07/22/2025 - Updated on 07/23/2025
Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company has executed a 110 million dirham transaction using the DDSC stablecoin on ADI Chain, marking the first major institutional deployment of the dirham-backed token since it received Central Bank of the UAE approval earlier this year.
The transaction represents the first major institutional deployment of the DDSC stablecoin since receiving regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the UAE earlier this year.
Executives involved in the initiative described the move as a major milestone for the UAE’s emerging digital payments ecosystem and evidence that regulated blockchain settlement systems are becoming operational at institutional scale.
The DDSC stablecoin was developed through a partnership involving IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Sirius International Holding, with technical infrastructure support provided by the ADI Foundation.
According to project officials, the DDSC stablecoin is designed to support secure, regulated digital transactions for both institutional and retail users while reducing friction in cross-border payments and trade settlement.
The successful completion of the AED 110 million transfer suggests the DDSC stablecoin is now moving beyond experimental blockchain testing into live financial operations.
“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 officer of IHC.
“Executing 110 million DDSC on ADI Chain is a clear signal that we are entering the next phase, where institutional-grade digital assets are not only viable, but operational at scale,” Shueb added.

His remarks reflect growing confidence among Gulf financial institutions that blockchain-based settlement infrastructure can support large-scale commercial transactions.
The emergence of the DDSC stablecoin also reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to establish itself as one of the world’s leading jurisdictions for regulated digital assets.
The Central Bank of the UAE has increasingly moved to formalize stablecoin oversight as part of its wider digital finance agenda.
Before the DDSC stablecoin received approval, the UAE had already licensed several dirham-backed stablecoin initiatives aimed at modernizing domestic and international payments infrastructure.
Among them was AE Coin, issued by Al Maryah Community Bank, which became one of the first AED-backed stablecoins to receive central bank authorization.
Meanwhile, Zand Bank secured approval for AEDZ, a regulated multi-chain dirham-backed stablecoin built to operate directly on public blockchain networks.
The rise of the DDSC stablecoin therefore forms part of a much larger institutional transformation underway in the UAE financial system.
Stablecoins have increasingly become one of the fastest-growing sectors in digital finance because they combine blockchain efficiency with the price stability of fiat currencies.
Supporters argue that products like the DDSC stablecoin can significantly reduce the delays, transaction costs, and settlement inefficiencies associated with traditional banking infrastructure.
Cross-border transfers, in particular, remain one of the biggest targets for blockchain-based stablecoin adoption.
Industry analysts note that international transactions routed through legacy banking systems can often require multiple intermediaries and several business days to settle.
By contrast, the DDSC stablecoin allows value to move almost instantly across blockchain infrastructure while remaining linked to the UAE dirham.

This operational efficiency is one reason governments and financial institutions worldwide are increasingly exploring regulated stablecoin frameworks.
The DDSC stablecoin transaction was executed on ADI Chain, a Layer-2 blockchain infrastructure platform designed specifically for institutional finance applications.
Developers behind the platform say ADI Chain was built to support compliance-focused blockchain settlement while maintaining scalability and transaction efficiency.
The successful transaction involving the DDSC stablecoin is expected to strengthen confidence in the network’s ability to handle high-volume financial activity.
Institutional blockchain systems have become a major focus area for financial firms seeking to modernize payment rails without relying entirely on open public blockchain ecosystems.
The DDSC stablecoin may therefore serve as both a payments instrument and a broader proof-of-concept for regulated institutional blockchain settlement within the Middle East.
Following the successful transaction, project developers said they intend to expand institutional participation around the DDSC stablecoin and establish additional digital payment corridors connecting the Middle East with global financial markets.
That ambition aligns with the UAE’s long-term strategy of positioning itself as a central hub for digital trade, tokenized finance, and blockchain-powered commerce.
Officials involved in the initiative believe the DDSC stablecoin could eventually support trade settlements, treasury operations, and regional liquidity flows involving international businesses.
The UAE has increasingly invested in blockchain regulation, fintech licensing, and digital asset infrastructure to strengthen its role in future global financial networks.

As Western regulators continue debating stablecoin oversight frameworks, Gulf jurisdictions have moved more aggressively to create operational regulatory environments for blockchain finance.
The successful use of the DDSC stablecoin in a live institutional transaction highlights how quickly stablecoins are evolving from crypto-native tools into mainstream financial infrastructure.
Large-scale adoption by regulated entities such as IHC signals that stablecoins are no longer confined to speculative crypto trading environments.
Instead, products like the DDSC stablecoin are increasingly being positioned as practical settlement tools capable of supporting real-world economic activity.