UAE Launches Digital Dirham CBDC Pilot with Landmark Transaction
The United Arab Emirates has executed its first live central bank digital currency transaction using the newly launched digital dirham. Federal authorities confirmed the cross-departmental payment settled in under two minutes via the mBridge platform, signaling operational readiness for the CBDC infrastructure.
This pilot phase, currently limited to government entities, leverages a multi-central bank network designed for future cross-border applications. The technical demonstration comes as over 130 countries explore sovereign digital currencies, with the UAE positioning itself at the forefront of Middle Eastern adoption.
Market analysts note the development could accelerate institutional crypto adoption in the region, though no immediate impact is expected on existing cryptocurrencies. The mBridge platform's selection suggests the UAE prioritizes interoperability with potential future CBDC partners including China and Hong Kong.