Dubai Takes a Clearer Stance on Stablecoins Through DIFC Regulations

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has officially approved regulated stablecoin operations, establishing a precise framework that distinguishes between compliant and non-compliant digital assets. The approved list is limited to three specific stablecoins: USDC, EURC, and RLUSD.

The regulatory approach explicitly excludes privacy coins, algorithmic stablecoins, and any stablecoins backed by cryptocurrency reserves or private credit arrangements. This isn't a blanket crypto ban—rather, it reflects a strategic preference for transparency and certainty over experimental models.

The move signals Dubai's commitment to fostering a regulated digital asset ecosystem while maintaining clear boundaries around asset stability and backing mechanisms. For market participants, this represents meaningful regulatory clarity in one of the region's most crypto-forward jurisdictions.