Bank of North Dakota and Fiserv to Launch State-Backed Stablecoin ’Roughrider Coin’

The Bank of North Dakota, in partnership with fintech giant Fiserv, announced the launch of Roughrider Coin—the first U.S. state-backed stablecoin. The USD-pegged token will operate on Fiserv's blockchain platform, with a phased rollout to local banks and credit unions by 2026.

Named after Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the initiative aims to streamline interbank settlements, accelerate cross-border transactions, and foster merchant adoption. North Dakota becomes the first state to experiment with a public-private digital currency model, leveraging its unique position as home to America's only state-owned bank.

Fiserv's COO Takis Georgakopoulos framed the project as bridging 'traditional finance's reliability with blockchain's innovation.' The platform builds on the firm's existing FIUSD stablecoin infrastructure, emphasizing regulatory compliance and interoperability with legacy systems.