Abu Dhabi – February 19, 2026: Al Maryah Community Bank’s AEC Wallet has secured regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to allow AE Coin top-ups through cryptocurrency settlement, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments evolution.
The approval enables AE Coin, issued by AED Stablecoin — a subsidiary of Al Maryah Community Bank — to be funded via direct crypto settlement in full compliance with the UAE’s payment regulations and oversight framework.
Under the new structure, clients of Emirates Currency Investment Company, licensed by the Capital Market Authority, can open AEC Wallet accounts and convert digital assets into UAE dirhams in a single step. Once converted, the equivalent value is instantly credited as AE Coin within the wallet.
AE Coin can then be used for everyday transactions across point-of-sale terminals nationwide, embedding regulated blockchain-based digital currency into mainstream retail payments.
Bridging Crypto and Regulated Payments
Bank leadership described the approval as a pivotal development in the UAE’s financial innovation journey. The wallet framework allows users to conduct secure, compliant digital payments denominated in dirhams while leveraging blockchain infrastructure for settlement.
The initiative strengthens AE Coin’s position as the UAE’s first regulated stablecoin actively deployed across government and private sector payment channels.
Advancing the UAE’s Digital Economy Vision
The move aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to build a world-class digital financial ecosystem. By allowing cryptocurrency settlement into a regulated stablecoin tied to the national currency, the model bridges Web3 infrastructure with traditional financial rails under central bank supervision.
The development also reinforces regulatory clarity in the UAE’s digital assets landscape, ensuring that crypto-to-fiat conversions operate within established compliance frameworks.
Al Maryah Community Bank and AED Stablecoin stated that the AEC Wallet will continue to focus on secure, regulated innovation, supporting the responsible adoption of digital assets while contributing to a resilient and inclusive financial system.
