Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to accept fee payments in digital currency
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI) The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al Maryah Bank to enable the payment of judicial and legal service fees using digital currency.Under the agreement, ADJD becomes the first government entity in the Middle East to officially accept AE Coin—a dirham-pegged stablecoin issued and managed by Al Maryah Bank. AE Coin is a digital currency regulated by the UAE Central Bank and maintains a 1:1 peg with the dirham.Users can now pay for a wide range of judicial services using AE Coin through the AEC Wallet. This offers a secure, fast, and fully digital alternative to traditional payment methods.According to information provided by Al Maryah Bank, the AEC Wallet is a digital application that allows users to convert, hold, transfer, receive, and pay using dirham-denominated stablecoins. Specifically, it enables users to convert their dirham balance into AE Coin, transfer AE Coin to other wallet holders, make payments to merchants, and redeem AE Coin back to dirham directly into linked bank accounts. The wallet supports both P2P (person-to-person) and P2B (person-to-business) payments, and is available on Android, Apple, and Huawei app stores.Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, said in a press release distributed by Zawya that the agreement forms part of the department's wider development strategy. He emphasised that the move aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of ADJD, to build a modern and innovative judicial system that embraces rapid digital transformation to ensure swift justice.'This partnership reflects our commitment to continuously modernise the judicial ecosystem and legal services. By diversifying smart payment options and embracing digital currency, we are supporting institutional cooperation and integrating the judicial and financial sectors through advanced technology,' Al Abri said.Vice Chairman of Al Maryah Bank, Omar Al Zaabi, commented, 'This partnership embodies our mission to foster banking innovation and reinforce the UAE's leadership in digital financial services. By enabling judicial payments via AE Coin, we are not only streamlining access to government services but also setting a benchmark for how technology can serve the public good in a secure and future-ready manner.'Board Member of Al Maryah Bank, Obaid Al Kaabi, added, 'We are proud to be part of this transformative achievement that enhances trust, transparency, and accessibility in public services. Integrating AE Coin within a major institution like ADJD underscores our commitment to accelerating digital transformation and contributing to a more inclusive financial future.'CEO of Al Maryah Bank, Mohammed Wassim Khayata, remarked, 'We take pride in supporting the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department in realising this forward-looking initiative. It's not merely a technological step; it's about delivering advanced, secure financial experiences that reflect the UAE's values and future vision.'Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of IED Stablecoin—the firm behind AE Coin—stated, 'AE Coin was developed to be a secure, efficient, and regulatory-compliant digital payment solution tailored for the UAE. Its adoption, by such a prominent government entity, marks a pivotal moment for us and the region's evolving digital finance landscape.'In May, Air Arabia has partnered with Al Maryah Bank to enable AE Coin payments for flight bookings through the AEC Wallet App.In June, Tawasul Transport announced that all taxis operated by the company would accept AE Coin payments via the AEC Wallet, further broadening the use of the digital currency in public services.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is actively working on launching a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pegged to the dirham. Abu Dhabi's leading financial entities—ADQ, International Holding Company (IHC), and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)—have also announced plans to launch dirham-linked stablecoins under CBUAE's regulatory oversight. As of now, AE Coin appears to be the only dirham-pegged stablecoin currently in operation in the UAE market.
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