UAE Central Bank Unveils Digital Dirham Symbol
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has officially revealed the symbol for the Digital Dirham, a major step forward in its digital currency initiative.
With a retail launch scheduled for late 2025, this milestone marks significant progress in the UAE's ambition to lead global financial innovation.
As part of the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme, the Digital Dirham aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in digital financial solutions and market infrastructure.
H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, shared: “Today, we are proud to unveil the new symbol for the UAE’s national currency, both in its traditional and digital forms. This is a major leap in the implementation of the Digital Dirham program, bringing us closer to realizing the CBUAE’s vision.”
The Digital Dirham is set to be supported by an integrated, secure platform, including a user-friendly digital wallet for a variety of financial transactions, such as retail, wholesale, and cross-border payments. The CBUAE’s platform is specifically designed to foster innovation and meet the demands of the UAE’s expanding digital economy.
Governor Balama added, “The Digital Dirham will be a blockchain-based platform with advanced capabilities that will strengthen financial stability, inclusion, and resilience, while helping to combat financial crime. It will foster the development of innovative financial products, services, and new business models, lowering costs and improving access to global markets.”
This initiative is not only about financial inclusion but also enhancing the UAE’s competitive edge as a leading financial hub and global digital payments platform. The Digital Dirham, which will be a legal tender as per Federal Decree-Law No. (54) of 2023, will coexist with physical currency and be accepted across various payment channels.
The CBUAE is collaborating with licensed financial institutions—including banks, exchange houses, finance companies, and fintech firms—to ensure broad access to the Digital Dirham. Key benefits include improved financial inclusion through tokenization, enhanced liquidity, and compatibility with smart contracts for instant, automated transactions.
As the UAE continues to innovate in the digital space, the launch of the Digital Dirham is set to transform how individuals and businesses engage with money, both locally and internationally.