AI Financial Corporation Integrates USDU Stablecoin to Expand Regulated Digital Asset Settlement Capabilities in the UAE

AI Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:AIFC) integrated USDU, the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token, into its digital asset transaction ecosystem.

Rhea-AI Summary

AI Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:AIFC) integrated USDU, the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token, into its digital asset transaction ecosystem.

The move expands regulated settlement options, supports UAE digital asset activity, and enhances cross-border institutional payments and trading.

Positive

• Integration of USDU adds a CBUAE-registered U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin to AiFi’s settlement options
• Supports institutional and enterprise USDU settlement for digital asset and derivative transactions in the UAE
• Enhances AiFi’s ability to offer regulated, compliant infrastructure in a key global digital asset market
• Enables on/off-ramping, real-time conversion, and settlement involving USDU and supported fiat currencies
• Strengthens AiFi’s cross-border payment and settlement capabilities involving the Middle East and other markets

Negative

• None.

Argus Jun 18 session

+5.87% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – AIFC

On Jun 18, the day this news came out, AIFC closed 5.87% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jun 18 session.

Key Figures

Announcement date: June 18, 2026

Announcement date

June 18, 2026

USDU integration announcement in UAE settlement infrastructure

Historical Context

3 past events · Latest: 2026-06-10

3 events

1. 2026-06-10

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   Update on WLFI token holdings and liquidity reducing prior going concern doubts.

2. 2026-05-07

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   Commercial agreement to enhance post-quantum security for digital asset infrastructure.

3. 2026-04-30

   Acquisition closed

   24h Move

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   Completion of Block Street acquisition to expand tokenized asset capabilities.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

stablecoin, foreign payment token, payment token services regulation (ptsr), digital asset derivative

4 terms

stablecoin financial

"USDU, the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank"

A stablecoin is a type of digital currency designed to keep its value steady, often by being backed by traditional assets like money or commodities. For investors, stablecoins offer a reliable way to move money quickly across digital platforms without the value fluctuations common with other cryptocurrencies, making them useful for saving, trading, or transferring funds with less risk of sudden losses.

foreign payment token regulatory

"registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token"

A foreign payment token is a digital unit used like money for buying goods or services but issued or controlled outside the investor’s country — think of a foreign currency in digital form. It matters to investors because it can change how assets are regulated, taxed, stored and moved across borders; like carrying foreign cash, it can offer convenience for cross-border payments but bring extra legal, custody and exchange-rate risks.

payment token services regulation (ptsr) regulatory

"registered with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) under its Payment Token Services Regulation"

A regulatory framework that sets rules for businesses that create, hold, transfer or exchange digital tokens used as a means of payment. It requires basic safeguards such as identity checks, custody standards and fraud protections so consumers and markets operate more safely. For investors, these rules affect how easily payment tokens can be bought, sold or used, the legal risk of holding them, and the costs and compliance burdens for companies in the space — like a safety and licensing regime for a new type of bank or payment network.

digital asset derivative financial

"digital asset transactions and digital asset derivative transactions conducted within the UAE"

A digital asset derivative is a financial contract whose value is tied to a digital asset, such as a cryptocurrency or token; common forms include futures, options and swaps that let investors gain price exposure without owning the underlying coin. It matters because these instruments let investors hedge positions, take leveraged bets or gain market access more efficiently—like renting exposure instead of buying a car—while introducing counterparty, liquidity and regulatory risks that can affect returns.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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AI Financial Corporation expands access to regulated digital asset settlement capabilities in the UAE through the integration of USDU, the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token.

LAS VEGAS, NV AND ABU DHABI, UAE / ACCESS Newswire / June 18, 2026 / AI Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:AIFC)(FRA:5AR1) ("AiFi" or the "Company"), a leading fintech provider of global payments, trading, and settlement infrastructure for digital assets, today announced the integration of USDU into its transaction processing ecosystem.

USDU, issued by Universal Digital Intl Limited ("Universal"), is the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) under its Payment Token Services Regulation (PTSR). Through this integration, AiFi's platforms will support USDU settlement capabilities for institutional and enterprise clients operating in or transacting with the UAE market.

The addition of USDU expands the range of regulated settlement options available through AiFi's infrastructure and supports the Company's strategy of enabling compliant digital asset transactions across key global markets.

Supporting Digital Asset Activity in the UAE

The UAE continues to establish itself as a leading jurisdiction for digital asset innovation, supported by a regulatory framework designed to foster institutional participation and responsible growth.

Under the CBUAE's PTSR framework, digital asset transactions and digital asset derivative transactions conducted within the UAE may be settled using fiat currency or registered foreign payment tokens that satisfy applicable regulatory requirements. As the first U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin registered under this framework, USDU provides market participants with a compliant settlement option for a broad range of digital asset and digital asset derivative activities within the UAE market.

By integrating USDU, AiFi will enable clients-including financial institutions, fintechs, payment service providers, and enterprises-to access settlement infrastructure aligned with evolving regulatory requirements in one of the world's fastest-growing digital asset markets.

Expanding Global Settlement Infrastructure

The integration builds on AiFi's broader strategy of delivering secure, compliant, and scalable infrastructure for digital asset payments, trading, and settlement.

Through its platforms, AiFi supports a growing range of fiat currencies and digital assets, enabling clients to move value efficiently across jurisdictions while meeting operational and compliance requirements. The addition of USDU further strengthens the Company's ability to support cross-border activity involving the Middle East and other global markets.

"The UAE continues to demonstrate leadership in creating a regulatory framework that supports responsible digital asset innovation," said Tony Isaac, President and CEO of AI Financial Corporation. "By integrating USDU into our infrastructure, we are expanding the range of compliant settlement options available to our clients and strengthening our ability to support institutional digital asset activity in the region."

Juha Viitala, Senior Executive Officer of Universal Digital Intl Limited, added:

"USDU was designed to provide institutions with a regulated and transparent USD-denominated settlement infrastructure aligned with the UAE's evolving financial ecosystem. We are pleased to work with AI Financial Corporation to broaden access to USDU and support the growing demand for compliant digital asset settlement infrastructure."

Through this integration, AiFi's platforms will support seamless on- and off-ramping, real-time conversion, and settlement capabilities involving USDU alongside supported fiat currencies and digital assets.

About AI Financial Corporation

AI Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:AIFC)(FRA:5AR1) is a fintech company providing global payments, trading, and settlement infrastructure for digital assets, including solutions that support crypto-to-fiat and fiat-to-crypto transactions. Built on infrastructure that has processed more than $8 billion in cumulative transaction volume since inception, AiFi serves institutional and enterprise clients across the evolving digital financial ecosystem. The Company is focused on expanding its platform capabilities to support emerging forms of financial activity, including tokenization, software-driven financial systems, and AI-enabled applications and autonomous transaction infrastructure.

For more information, please visit www.aifi.co.

About Universal Digital Intl Limited

Universal Digital Intl Limited is established in ADGM and regulated by the FSRA (FSP No. 250089) to issue a Fiat-Referenced Token to Professional Clients only . Universal is also a Registered Foreign Payment Token Issuer with the CBUAE under the PTSR and is the issuer of USDU, a fully USD-backed stablecoin and a Registered Foreign Payment Token by the CBUAE, which may be used for UAE Domestic payment of Digital Assets and Digital Assets Derivatives. USDU may not be used for general payment purposes in the UAE (i.e. UAE domestic payments). Committed to pioneering secure, transparent, and fully regulated digital assets, Universal drives innovation within the UAE's expanding virtual asset ecosystem through trusted institutional-grade solutions.

For more information, please visit www.universal.ae.

Media & Investor Contacts
AiFi Investor Relations: AIFC@gateway-grp.com
AiFi Media Relations: AIFinancial@wachsman.com
Universal Digital Media Relations: info@universal.ae

SOURCE: AI Financial Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did AI Financial Corporation (AIFC) announce about USDU integration in the UAE?

AI Financial Corporation announced it integrated the USDU stablecoin into its digital asset transaction ecosystem in the UAE. According to AI Financial Corporation, this supports institutional and enterprise settlement for digital asset and derivative activities using a registered foreign payment token.

What is the USDU stablecoin used by AI Financial Corporation (AIFC)?

USDU is a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Universal Digital Intl Limited and registered with the UAE Central Bank. According to Universal, USDU serves as a regulated, USD-denominated settlement token under the Payment Token Services Regulation framework.

How does USDU integration benefit AI Financial Corporation (AIFC) clients in the UAE?

USDU integration allows AIFC clients to settle digital asset and derivative transactions using a regulated USD-backed token. According to AI Financial Corporation, this supports compliant settlement for financial institutions, fintechs, payment providers, and enterprises operating in or transacting with the UAE.

What regulatory framework governs USDU used by AI Financial Corporation (AIFC)?

USDU operates under the Central Bank of the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation as a registered Foreign Payment Token. According to AI Financial Corporation, this framework permits settlement of digital asset transactions using fiat or qualifying registered payment tokens inside the UAE.

What settlement services will AI Financial Corporation (AIFC) offer with USDU?

AI Financial Corporation will offer seamless on- and off-ramping, real-time conversion, and settlement involving USDU. According to AI Financial Corporation, these capabilities operate alongside supported fiat currencies and digital assets across its payments, trading, and settlement platforms.