ADNOC Distribution Pilots UAE’s Regulated Digital Dirham for Fuel and Retail Payments

ADNOC Distribution, one of the region’s largest networks of fuel and convenience outlets, is launching a major retail pilot to allow customers to pay for fuel and in-store purchases using the AE Coin, the UAE’s government-approved, dirham-backed stablecoin.

Key Points

• Partnership: The retailer is partnering with Al Maryah Community Bank, which provides the payment infrastructure through its AEC Wallet.
• Scale of Deployment: The pilot spans almost 1,000 locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, integrating the stablecoin into a high-volume retail environment.
• Payment Process: Drivers will use the AEC Wallet app to settle transactions instantly with AE Coin at fuel pumps, car washes, and Oasis convenience stores.
• The AE Coin Advantage: AE Coin is fully backed by dirhams and regulated by the UAE Central Bank, making it a compliant, instantly transferable digital currency designed for real-world transactions, not speculation.
• Significance: This move marks a crucial, high-frequency test for a regulated national stablecoin, moving it from controlled pilots into everyday consumer use, with the goal of offering an instant and low-friction payment alternative alongside traditional methods.

ADNOC Distribution’s CEO, Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, stated that this integration is part of a broader strategy to modernize payment experiences within a fully regulated framework. If successful, the rollout could pave the way for wider adoption of AE Coin across various public services, transportation, and retail sectors, strengthening the UAE’s role as a leader in compliant digital-asset infrastructure.