Stablecoins Could Transform the Payments Landscape in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently joined several countries that have made early moves to implement well-thought-out regulations regarding stablecoins.

These rules will have far-reaching consequences for payments in the UAE, particularly in emerging industries such as the iGaming sector.

Stablecoins have been around since 2014. However, they have become massively popular over the past two years because they are not volatile like other cryptocurrencies.

They are safer storages of value than other cryptocurrencies because they are tied to more stable assets. They also offer perceived financial freedom from traditional economic constraints.

The UAE is making waves in the crypto industry after the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) recently approved a new system for overseeing and licensing stablecoins.

The UAE stablecoins are pegged to the UAE Dirham (AED), a fiat currency. This value peg helps to mitigate the volatility often associated with cryptocurrencies. Due to their stable value, stablecoins are more suitable for everyday transactions.

The UAE moved to license and regulate Dirham-backed stablecoins under the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) program, positioning the Emirati as a hub for financial innovation.

The UAE has a young and tech-savvy population eager to test the latest technological advancements, and they will be following as the government looks to ratify stablecoins.

Indigenes of the UAE will be allowed to use the nation’s backed stablecoins to make and receive payment seamlessly. This move will likely have serious implications for iGaming in the region.

Emerging iGaming Market set for Payments Boost

UAE stablecoins can benefit the iGaming industry in several ways because they run on innovative blockchain technology.

The technology offers faster payment times and lower transaction fees than traditional payment methods used in iGaming, such as credit cards or bank transfers.

Online casinos in the UAE would process stablecoin payments faster, while customers can make quick deposits without any hassle.

Blockchain technology offers excellent security and transparency for digital transactions. This immutability is a selling point for players wary of using traditional payment methods.

Stablecoins could also attract new customers to iGaming platforms. Significant portions of the UAE population are unbanked or underbanked, and stablecoins can provide a quick and efficient way for this demographic to conduct transactions.

Anyone with limited access to banking services can conduct online transactions seamlessly, leading to a more inclusive iGaming market in the UAE.

Regulatory Issues May Hinder Stablecoin Adoption

There are several potential benefits of operating UAE stablecoins, especially in the iGaming industry, but regulatory issues remain a problem.

Casino gambling and sports betting have become increasingly popular around the world. However, the UAE has always had strict laws in place against gambling, mainly due to religious beliefs.

Online gambling is also prohibited, but people can still access licensed offshore casino sites licensed outside the country. For UAE stablecoins and iGaming to flourish in tandem, the UAE would need to readjust its stance on online gambling.

Besides changing its stance towards iGaming, the UAE will need to develop Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Strict AML and KYC regulations will help prevent financial crime in iGaming.

The UAE would also need to develop a clear framework for applying these regulations to iGaming platforms that use stablecoins. This involves establishing guidelines for customer verification, transaction monitoring and reporting suspicious activity.

There needs to be a regulatory framework for licensing and taxing iGaming operators that use stablecoins to ensure a safe and controlled environment.

This overarching branch will create a licensing process for iGaming companies, determine the tax rates and ensure compliance with AML/KYC regulations.

Stablecoins & iGaming Could be a Match Made in Heaven

The introduction of UAE stablecoins is a progressive approach towards digital innovation in the financial sector. Stablecoins are likely to open doors for future developments.

The move to introduce stablecoins will open a line of communication and collaboration between regulators such as the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and iGaming companies.

They will discuss and determine how stablecoins can be incorporated into the industry while adhering to UAE laws. The trio must find common ground between innovation and regulatory control.

The UAE could implement controlled trials in sandbox environments to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using stablecoins in iGaming under supervision.

This would allow regulators to assess the potential risks and benefits of iGaming with stablecoins in a controlled setting before implementing widespread regulations.

If the UAE moves towards using stablecoins in iGaming, it will likely influence other countries in the Middle Eastern region to explore something similar.

It could lead to a more open regulatory landscape for iGaming across the Middle East. The UAE could become a pioneer in this regard, and set a precedent for other countries in the region.