VERSABANK ANNOUNCES VERSABANK USA LAUNCH OF TOKENIZED DEPOSIT PILOT PROGRAM IN UNITED STATES

Rhea-AI Summary

VersaBank (NASDAQ:VBNK) has announced the launch of a pilot program for its Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) through its subsidiary VersaBank USA. The program introduces USDVBs, which are bank-issued tokenized deposits representing a 1:1 digital representation of actual cash deposits.

The USDVB Pilot Program aims to validate functionality, security, and compliance with US banking regulations. The program will involve thousands of transactions through controlled internal testing and limited external deployment with deposit partners. VersaBank's DDRs offer advantages over traditional stablecoins, including FDIC insurance and interest-earning capability. The pilot is expected to complete by the end of 2025, with commercial launch following OCC approval.

The tokens will operate on Algorand, Ethereum, and Stellar blockchains, managed through VersaBank's proprietary VersaVault digital vault and VersaView e-wallet platforms.

Positive

• First operational tokenized deposit issued by a nationally licensed bank in the US
• Offers FDIC insurance and ability to pay interest, unlike traditional stablecoins
• Provides opportunity for low-cost deposits to fund US growth
• Operates on multiple major blockchains (Algorand, Ethereum, Stellar)
• Developed in conjunction with law enforcement for enhanced security

Negative

• Commercial launch pending OCC's non-objection approval
• Limited to internal testing and controlled external deployment initially
• Launch timeline extends to end of 2025

Insights

Fintech Innovation Analyst

VersaBank's tokenized deposit pilot in the US advances its blockchain banking strategy, positioning it ahead of competitors in the regulated digital asset space.

VersaBank is making a strategic advancement into the US regulated digital asset market with the launch of its USDVB pilot program. This initiative leverages the bank's proprietary Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) technology, which creates tokenized bank deposits that serve as 1:1 digital representations of actual cash on the blockchain.

What makes this development particularly noteworthy is how VersaBank is positioning its product as a superior alternative to traditional stablecoins. Unlike most stablecoins, these DDRs offer three critical advantages: they represent actual cash deposits at a regulated bank, can legally pay interest, and qualify for FDIC insurance – addressing key regulatory and security concerns that have plagued the stablecoin market.

From a competitive standpoint, VersaBank appears to be gaining first-mover advantage, with management claiming these are "the first operational, tokenized deposits issued by a nationally licensed bank in the United States." The bank is implementing a methodical approach with its pilot program, conducting thousands of transactions of minimal value, while simultaneously pursuing regulatory clarity through the OCC's "non-objection" process.

The technology implementation is sophisticated yet practical, operating across multiple blockchain platforms (Algorand, Ethereum, and Stellar) and managed through VersaBank's proprietary VersaVault digital vault and VersaView e-wallet platforms. This multi-chain approach maximizes potential reach and utility.

This initiative represents a dual opportunity: generating low-cost deposits to fund US operations while also potentially licensing the technology to other financial institutions looking to enter the digital asset space without building their own infrastructure. The scheduled completion of the pilot by year-end 2025 suggests commercial deployment could begin in early 2026, assuming regulatory approval.

– Bank's Proprietary Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) Offer Significant Advantages over Stablecoins as Bank-Issued Deposits on the Blockchain as 1:1 Representation of Actual Cash Deposits with Ability to Pay Interest and FDIC Insurance¹ –

LONDON, ON and MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - As traditional stablecoins gain traction as a tool for various financial activities within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, VersaBank ("VersaBank" or the "Bank") (TSX:VBNK) (NASDAQ:VBNK), a North American leader in business-to-business digital banking, as well as technology solutions for cybersecurity, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, VersaBank USA,  has launched an internal pilot program in the United States for its USDVBs, the US-dollar version of its proprietary Digital Deposit Receipts ("DDRs") (the "USDVB  Pilot Program").  Developed exclusively by VersaBank using its proprietary technology, DDRs are bank-issued tokenized deposits, which are highly encrypted 1:1 digital representations of actual cash deposits that provide superior security, stability, and regulatory compliance compared to stablecoins. They combine the safety and soundness of traditional banking with the efficiency, cost savings, security, and programmability of blockchain technology.

Consistent with the Bank's similar pilot program completed in Canada, the purpose of the USDVB Pilot Program is to demonstrate the functionality, security, and operational integrity of VersaBank USA DDRs in a US dollar environment and to ensure compliance with US banking regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The launch of the USDVB Pilot Program is a critical milestone in VersaBank USA's preparations to commercialize its USDVB in the United States.  VersaBank USA will seek the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC's) "non-objection" prior to launching commercially.

"We believe VersaBank USA's USDVBs are the first operational, tokenized deposit issued by a nationally licensed bank in the United States," said David Taylor, Founder and President, VersaBank.  "VersaBank fundamentally believes licensed banks, as the trusted, regulated safekeepers of personal and business cash assets and other valuables, are naturally positioned to do the same for digital currencies.  Our USDVB DDRs, developed in conjunction with law enforcement, represent the next step in the evolution of digital assets for both deposits and payments, and, importantly, a superior alternative to stablecoins based on their one-for-one representation of actual cash on deposit with our Bank, the legal ability to pay interest, and FDIC insurance¹.  Accordingly, our DDRs are not only a significant opportunity for VersaBank USA itself to generate very low-cost deposits to fund our US growth but also the ideal, market-ready solution for US banks, payment providers and other financial businesses to quickly, seamlessly and cost-effectively enter this critical next stage of the digital commerce evolution.  With every confidence in a successful pilot program, we are steadily advancing plans toward commercialization of our DDRs, both internally and through potential third-party partners."

VersaBank USA's USDVB Pilot Program will follow a phased testing program involving thousands of transactions of de minimis value with controlled internal testing and expanding to include limited external deployment with designated deposit partners and their clients.  USDVBs will be issued at a rate of 1 USDVB for each US$1.00 on deposit with VersaBank USA. Issuance and redemption and basic management of USDVBs will occur through VersaBank's proprietary VersaVault digital vault platform on the Algorand, Ethereum and Stellar blockchains and access to and control of USDVBs will be managed through its VersaView e-wallet platform.  VersaBank USA expects the USDVB Pilot Program to be completed by the end of calendar 2025 with commercial launch to occur as soon as possible thereafter.

ABOUT VERSABANK'S DIGITAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS

Digital Deposit Receipts (DDRs) are VersaBank's proprietary tokenized deposits, functioning as digital representations of traditional bank deposits on a blockchain, offering enhanced efficiency, programmability, and security in financial transactions.  As one-for-one representations of an actual fiat currency on deposit with the Bank (or any bank using DDRs) that are issued by a federally chartered bank and are permitted to pay interest and federally insured, DDRs offer significant advantages over traditional stablecoins.  VersaBank's DDRs were developed in conjunction with law enforcement as a trusted alternative to stablecoins for mainstream financial applications, including efficient payments, addressing the rapidly growing propensity of consumers and businesses to hold assets in e-wallets and engage in financial transactions digitally.

VersaVault^® is the world's first digital vault for security conscious organizations looking to secure their highly sensitive and confidential documents, data, code, blockchain-based assets and more, addressing the need for regulated custody of digital assets with secure platforms. VersaVault's military-grade security technology is SOC2 Type 1 Audit compliant and securely manages highly sensitive cryptographic material essential for issuing and redeeming, and ongoing management of USDVB DDRs. It provides robust protection for sensitive data used throughout these critical token lifecycle events, ensuring end-to-end security and traceability.

ABOUT VERSABANK

VersaBank is a North American bank with a difference. Federally chartered in both Canada and the US, VersaBank has a branchless, digital, business-to-business model based on its proprietary state-of-the-art technology that enables it to profitably address underserved segments of the banking industry in a significantly risk mitigated manner. Because VersaBank obtains substantially all of its deposits and undertakes the majority of its funding electronically through financial intermediary partners, it benefits from significant operating leverage that drives efficiency and return on common equity. In August 2024, VersaBank broadly launched its unique Receivable Purchase Program funding solution for point-of-sale finance companies, which has been highly successful in Canada for nearly 15 years, to the underserved multi-trillion-dollar US market.  VersaBank also owns Washington, DC-based DRT Cyber Inc., a North America leader in the provision of cyber security services to address the rapidly growing volume of cyber threats challenging financial institutions, multi-national corporations and government entities.  Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Digital Meteor Inc. ("Digital Meteor"), VersaBank owns proprietary intellectual property and technology to enable the next generation of digital assets for the banking and financial community, including the Bank's revolutionary Digital Deposit Receipts ("DDRs").

VersaBank's Common Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ under the symbol VBNK.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") including statements regarding the ability to obtain shareholder, regulatory and other approvals of the proposed Structural Realignment; the relocation of the Bank's headquarters to the United States; the expected realization of additional shareholder value, the mitigation of risk and the reduction of corporate costs as a result of the proposed Structural Realignment; the key elements of the proposed Structural Realignment, including the listing of VersaHoldings' shares on the Nasdaq and the anticipated regulatory framework; the specific terms and conditions of the proposed Structural Realignment; the ability to obtain inclusion on stock indices, including the Russell 2000; expected corporate governance changes and changes in management in connection with the proposed Structural Realignment; the ability to expand internationally beyond Canada and the United States; and the intention to file a registration statement on Form S-4 (including a preliminary management information circular/prospectus). Words such as "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", "aims", "endeavours", "projects", "continue", "predicts", "potential", "intends", or the negative of these terms or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "should" are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements by their nature require the Bank to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, including without limitation with respect to: the strength of the Canadian and US economies in general and the strength of the local economies within Canada and the United States in which the Bank conducts operations; the effects of changes in monetary and fiscal policy, including changes in interest rate policies of the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve; global commodity prices; the effects of competition in the markets in which the Bank operates; inflation; capital market fluctuations; the timely development and introduction of new products in receptive markets; the impact of changes in the laws and regulations pertaining to financial services; changes in tax laws; technological changes; unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings; unexpected changes in consumer spending and savings habits; the impact of wars or conflicts on global supply chains and markets; the impact of outbreaks of disease or illness that affect local, national or international economies; the possible effects on our business of terrorist activities; natural disasters and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; and the Bank's anticipation of and success in managing the risks implicated by the foregoing. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive.  Although the Bank believes that the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and actually results may differ materially. Completion of the proposed Structural Realignment is subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Bank's control, including but not limited to, the failure to obtain required shareholder, regulatory and other approvals, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in the Bank's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces or territories of Canada. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Bank's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Visit our website at:  www.versabank.com

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1. In accordance with FDIC policies.

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SOURCE VersaBank

FAQ

What is VersaBank's USDVB and how does it differ from traditional stablecoins?

USDVB is a bank-issued tokenized deposit that represents a 1:1 digital representation of actual cash deposits. Unlike traditional stablecoins, it offers FDIC insurance and the ability to earn interest.

When will VersaBank's USDVB be commercially available?

The pilot program is expected to complete by the end of 2025, with commercial launch following OCC approval shortly after.

Which blockchain platforms will support VersaBank's USDVB tokens?

USDVBs will operate on three major blockchain platforms: Algorand, Ethereum, and Stellar.

How does VersaBank (NASDAQ:VBNK) ensure security for its Digital Deposit Receipts?

VersaBank's DDRs are managed through their proprietary VersaVault digital vault platform and VersaView e-wallet, developed in conjunction with law enforcement for enhanced security.

What is the exchange rate for VersaBank's USDVB tokens?

USDVBs are issued at a rate of 1 USDVB for each US$1.00 on deposit with VersaBank USA.