Liv by Emirates NBD integrates UAE-registered USDU stablecoin into digital banking platform
Liv by Emirates NBD has partnered with Universal Digital Intl Ltd and Aquanow ME FZE to integrate USDU, a US dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), into its digital banking ecosystem.
Announced on November 9, the partnership brings together Liv's digital banking platform, Universal's stablecoin technology and Aquanow's regulated digital asset infrastructure. The move aims to give customers access to digital assets alongside their traditional banking services through a single platform.
USDU is issued by Universal and registered by the CBUAE under its Payment Token Services Regulation. According to the companies, the stablecoin is backed by physical US dollar reserves on a 1:1 basis, held with UAE banks and verified through publicly available monthly attestations.
Aquanow will provide the infrastructure for USDU distribution and crypto trading through Liv X. The company said it has processed more than $130 billion in trading volume, providing the liquidity and infrastructure required to support digital asset services.
The integration builds on Liv's introduction of crypto trading through Liv X in 2025. It expands the bank's digital asset offering by adding a regulated, US dollar-denominated stablecoin to its platform.
Banking and digital assets under one platform
Rohit Garg, group head of retail products and chief digital officer of retail banking and wealth management at Emirates NBD, said the integration supports the UAE's digital economy ambitions while expanding customers' access to regulated digital assets.
He said the partnership would provide customers with a secure and transparent way to access digital assets within their everyday banking app.
Aquanow CEO Phil Sham said the company would support both USDU distribution and Liv X trading through its infrastructure, combining stablecoin access, digital asset trading and regulated services.
Juha Viitala, senior executive officer at Universal, said USDU was developed to provide transparent, US dollar-backed settlement within UAE regulatory frameworks. He added that its integration into Liv would bring the stablecoin to customers through an existing banking platform.
Three-month zero-fee trading offer
To mark the launch, Liv by Emirates NBD is introducing a promotional campaign offering customers zero-fee crypto trading for 90 days.
The three-month offer is intended to encourage adoption of the enhanced platform among both new and existing users.
