Digital Payment Infrastructure Expanding: Major Retail Network Embraces UAE Stablecoin Across MENA Region

The landscape of coin building in Abu Dhabi and the broader Middle East is experiencing tangible momentum. ADNOC Distribution has just formalized a strategic partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank to enable AE Coin payments across a sprawling retail footprint—a move that transforms regulated digital currency from theoretical concept into practical consumer reality.

Where AE Coin Meets Everyday Transactions

The integration covers nearly 980 service stations across three key markets. Within the UAE alone, ADNOC Distribution’s 562 stations will support AE Coin through the AEC Wallet infrastructure. The network extends to 172 locations in Saudi Arabia and 243 in Egypt, creating one of the region’s most comprehensive stablecoin payment ecosystems.

What exactly can customers purchase with AE Coin? The utility spans fuel purchases at pumps, convenience shopping through Oasis by ADNOC outlets, and car wash services. This isn’t limited to a single touchpoint—it’s embedded into daily mobility routines where payment volume naturally concentrates.

The Technical Foundation: Centralized Oversight

AE Coin holds distinction as the first stablecoin in the UAE to secure central bank licensing. The 1:1 peg to the dirham eliminates volatility concerns that typically deter mainstream retail adoption. This regulatory blessing from authorities transforms AE Coin from an experimental asset into an officially recognized digital payment rail.

Strategic Significance

Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, framed this partnership as essential infrastructure evolution. The statement emphasized bridging the gap between secure, regulated digital payments and the convenience expected in contemporary retail environments.

For observers tracking the coin building phenomenon across Abu Dhabi and the Gulf Cooperation Council, this partnership demonstrates that stablecoin adoption isn’t confined to speculation or DeFi protocols. It’s materializing through institutional partnerships and real-world payment infrastructure that touches hundreds of millions in transaction volume annually.