Mastercard and ADI Foundation Bring Stablecoin Settlements to UAE
Mastercard has announced it will extend its stablecoin-based settlement solution to the United Arab Emirates in partnership with Abu Dhabi–based ADI Foundation, enabling both domestic and cross-border payment flows. The collaboration signals a concrete step toward tokenized settlement infrastructure in the Gulf, using regulated stablecoins as a rails alternative to traditional correspondent banking.
The initiative matters because stablecoin settlement can reduce friction and speed up finality for merchants, banks and remittance corridors, while lowering operational costs. It also aligns with the UAE’s push to become a regional hub for digital finance, though implementation will depend on local regulatory frameworks and integration with existing payment systems. Market participants will be watching for roll-out details and whether other regional players join similar schemes.