The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has signed a strategic agreement with Al Maryah Bank to introduce digital currency as a payment method for judicial and legal service fees, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s digital transformation of government services.

Through this partnership, ADJD becomes the first government entity in the Middle East to officially accept AE Coin, a UAE-regulated stablecoin, for court-related transactions. The move aligns with the UAE’s broader ambition to build a fully integrated digital economy and sets a regional benchmark for adopting digital currencies in the public sector.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to continuously modernize the judicial ecosystem and legal services,” said Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of ADJD. “By diversifying smart payment options and embracing digital currency, we are supporting institutional cooperation and integrating the judicial and financial sectors through advanced technology.”

Al Abri added that the department aims to strengthen partnerships with leading financial institutions to leverage fintech innovation and build a more efficient, technology-driven legal environment. The implementation of AE Coin is intended to streamline court payments and enhance service accessibility. Through the AEC Wallet, users can pay for a wide range of judicial services using a secure, fast, and fully digital method. This offers an alternative to traditional payment systems and supports greater operational efficiency.

“By enabling judicial payments via AE Coin, we are not only streamlining access to government services but also setting a benchmark for how technology can serve the public good in a secure and future-ready manner,” said Omar Al Zaabi, vice chairman of Al Maryah Bank.

Ramez Rafiq, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, the company behind AE Coin, described the adoption as a milestone for the UAE’s digital finance sector. “AE Coin was developed to be a secure, efficient, and regulatory-compliant digital payment solution tailored for the UAE. Its adoption by such a prominent government entity marks a pivotal moment for us and for the region’s evolving digital finance landscape.”