Tawasul Transport, Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank), and the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport’s Integrated Transport Center (ITC) have started a pioneering trial initiative in Abu Dhabi.
This project brings AE Coin, a stablecoin regulated by the government that is tied to the UAE dirham, to taxi fare payments, and this is the first time stablecoin technology has been used in public transportation around the world.
The AEC Wallet app lets passengers pay their fares with their phones, which is in line with Abu Dhabi’s goal of creating a smart, safe, and seamless transport system.
How AE Coin Makes Paying for Taxis Easier
The AE Coin system changes the way people pay. The AEC Wallet app, which is accessible on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery, lets passengers pay by scanning a QR code inside Tawasul taxis. The stablecoin’s 1:1 link to the UAE dirham keeps prices stable, getting rid of the price swings that come with regular cryptocurrencies.
This reliability, along with blockchain’s capacity to process transactions in real time and low fees, makes it a safe and cheap alternative to cash or credit card payments. The project makes paying easier while also helping Abu Dhabi reach its digital transformation goals and making it easier for more people to use financial services.
Strategic Collaboration and Government Oversight
The ITC, which oversees Abu Dhabi’s transportation sector, is in charge of this pilot project, which is a partnership between the public and commercial sectors. In line with the UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025, Tawasul Transport and Mbank are using blockchain technology.
Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fintech innovation and smart transportation is shown by this project, which makes the emirate a world leader in digital payments. Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, said that AE Coin is an important part of the UAE’s financial infrastructure since it makes real-time customer payments safe and compliant.
AE Coin’s Future
If this trial goes well, it should lead to more people using AE Coin in different industries. Plans are being made to make the AEC Wallet app work with more retailers, transit providers, and stores around the UAE.
This expansion is meant to make digital currencies more common in regular transactions, which will make things easier for customers and solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a financial hotspot. The project is already gaining ground, as Air Arabia has been accepting AE Coin for flight bookings since May 2025. This shows that it might be used by a lot of people.
Effect On Abu Dhabi’s Transportation System
The AE Coin pilot shows that Abu Dhabi is a leader in digital transformation. Ghena Jbour, the General Manager of Tawasul Transport, said that the effort is a great example of how different parts of the transport ecosystem can work together to fulfill changing user needs with new payment options.
The concept improves the consumer experience and helps with long-term transportation goals by giving people a safe, cashless option. This project offers an example for cities throughout the world that want to use stablecoins in public services, as the UAE continues to lead the way in fintech solutions.
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