The Central Financial institution of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) stated its Digital Dirham would launch for retail use within the remaining quarter of 2025.
Based on a March 27 assertion, the forex can be obtainable via regulated banks, fintech corporations, alternate homes, and licensed monetary companies.
As soon as reside, the Digital Dirham will assist good contracts and tokenization—options that allow automated, safe, and complicated transactions whereas increasing entry to digital monetary instruments.
CBUAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama stated:
“It’s anticipated that the Digital Dirham as a blockchain primarily based platform with innovative capabilities shall considerably improve monetary stability, inclusion, resilience, and combatting monetary crime. It would additional allow the event of progressive digital merchandise, companies, and new enterprise fashions, whereas decreasing price and growing entry to worldwide markets.”
This transfer represents a big step ahead within the UAE’s broader digital transformation technique.
Digital Dirham design
The UAE has additionally launched up to date symbols for its nationwide forex to align with its rising concentrate on digital finance.
The brand new image for the bodily Dirham contains a daring capital “D” crossed by two horizontal traces. These traces characterize the nation’s imaginative and prescient for financial stability and progress. The design takes cues from the nationwide flag, reinforcing the UAE’s confidence in its monetary future. For the digital model, a round body within the UAE flag’s colours surrounds the “D” image.
The design is meant to mirror the nation’s ambition to guide in blockchain innovation and digital monetary companies.
Balama described the up to date branding as a sign of progress and a key a part of the nation’s digital agenda. He emphasised that the Digital Dirham will enhance monetary resilience, inclusion, and regulatory oversight whereas enabling the event of latest services.
In the meantime, this announcement follows the CBUAE’s latest membership within the International Overseas Alternate Committee. It’s the first central financial institution within the Arab world to affix the group, which promotes transparency and integrity in world FX markets.

