USDU Is Now Live With Zodia Custody
Universal is pleased to announce that USDU is now supported by Zodia Custody, expanding the institutional infrastructure available for holding and transferring regulated USD settlement liquidity.
Through Zodia’s platform, eligible institutional clients can securely custody and transfer USDU within a fully segregated, HSM-backed cold wallet environment — supporting 24/7 digital asset operations, treasury management and settlement workflows.
Zodia Custody is an institution-first digital asset custodian backed by Standard Chartered, Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, National Australia Bank and Emirates NBD. Its support for USDU brings regulated USD settlement together with bank-backed institutional custody infrastructure.
Regulated USD settlement, now in institutional custody
USDU is a USD-backed stablecoin issued by Universal Digital Intl Limited, an ADGM FSRA-licensed entity. It is the first USD-backed stablecoin registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token under the UAE’s Payment Token Services Regulation.
As digital asset markets mature, institutions need more than access to stablecoins. They need a regulated settlement asset, robust custody, and operational flexibility that can support real-world workflows.
With USDU now live on Zodia Custody, institutional clients can:
- Hold USDU in fully segregated, HSM-backed cold wallets
- Transfer USDU 24/7, including to and from cold storage
- Incorporate USDU into digital asset settlement and treasury workflows
- Access institutional-grade custody infrastructure while using a regulated USD stablecoin
This is another important step in building the infrastructure required for regulated digital asset markets, connecting trusted USD settlement with the custody standards institutions expect.
Built for institutional use
USDU is designed for professional and institutional participants seeking a regulated route to USD-denominated digital asset settlement in the UAE.
USDU is backed 1:1 by USD reserves and is distributed globally by Aquanow. Reserves are attested monthly by Crowe, with real-time proof-of-reserves infrastructure providing additional transparency. The USDU smart contract has also been independently audited by CertiK.
By integrating USDU, Zodia Custody provides institutions with a clear path from accessing USDU to holding it securely within a dedicated custody environment.
Getting started
USDU is available today through Zodia Custody Limited (UK). Existing Zodia clients can speak with their Zodia relationship manager for access details. Institutions looking to explore USDU for settlement or treasury workflows can also contact the Universal team.
About Universal (USDU)
Universal Digital Intl Limited (“Universal”) is established in Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) with Financial Services Permission No. 250089 to issue a Fiat-Referenced Token to Professional Clients only. Universal is also registered with the Central Bank of the UAE as a Foreign Payment Token Issuer under the Payment Token Services Regulation (“PTSR”) and is the issuer of USDU, a fully USD-backed stablecoin registered as a Foreign Payment Token by the CBUAE.
USDU is designed to support USD settlement in connection with virtual asset and virtual asset derivative activity. USDU may not be used as a general-purpose domestic payment instrument in the UAE.
This communication is for information purposes and is intended for Professional Clients only. Under no circumstances shall this communication be deemed or construed as a direct or indirect offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any securities or any offer to sell any product.
