CBUAE Unveils New Dirham Symbol and Confirms Digital Dirham Launch in 2025
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has confirmed the 2025 launch of the Digital Dirham, while unveiling a new symbol for the UAE’s national currency. The move reflects the country’s push to modernize its financial infrastructure and position the Dirham as a global currency in both physical and digital form.
This announcement also marks the CBUAE’s entry into the FX Global Code—making it the first central bank in the Arab world to do so—as part of broader efforts to promote transparency, integrity, and best practices in the exchange market.
New Currency Symbol Reflects UAE Identity
The updated Dirham symbol is derived from the English letter “D” and features two horizontal lines, symbolizing monetary stability. Inspired by the UAE flag, the design reflects both national pride and forward-looking financial strength.
For its digital counterpart, a distinct version of the symbol encircled by the UAE’s flag colors was introduced. This visual distinction signals the country’s shift toward digital innovation, while reinforcing the Dirham’s status as a globally recognized currency.
Digital Dirham to Launch by Q4 2025
Backed by Federal Decree-Law No. (54) of 2023, the Digital Dirham will serve as legal tender across all payment platforms, alongside physical cash. The retail rollout is expected to begin in the final quarter of 2025.
The digital version of the Dirham will be distributed through licensed entities such as banks, exchange houses, finance companies, and fintech platforms. Individuals and businesses will be able to use it for a range of transactions, enhancing everyday payments and financial services.
Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and Tokenisation
Built on blockchain technology, the Digital Dirham is designed for high security, privacy, and cost efficiency. It supports:
- Smart Contracts: These enable automatic, instant execution of complex or conditional transactions involving multiple parties.
- Tokenization: Through fractionalization of digital assets, the Digital Dirham promotes financial inclusion and broader liquidity access.
These features are aimed at reinforcing the UAE’s role as a digital finance leader and enabling the next wave of financial innovation.
Integrated Digital Wallet Platform
CBUAE has developed a secure and user-friendly Digital Dirham wallet, which will allow individuals and businesses to perform various financial activities such as:
- Retail and wholesale payments
- Cross-border transactions
- Money transfers and withdrawals
- Wallet top-ups and redemptions
This integrated platform is designed to evolve with emerging financial use cases and will support new products and services aligned with the UAE’s growing digital economy.
Vision for a Future-Ready Financial System
H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, emphasized the significance of the announcement, stating: “We are proud to unveil the new symbol for the UAE’s national currency in both its physical and digital forms. The Digital Dirham will contribute to financial stability, inclusion, and innovation in line with our long-term vision.”
He added that the blockchain-based platform will enhance resilience, support the fight against financial crime, and enable access to global markets while reducing costs for all users.
