The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has unveiled a new symbol for the Emirati dirham, reinforcing the currency’s stability and paying homage to the UAE national flag. The move aligns with the country’s vision of strengthening its position as a global financial hub.
The dirham’s new symbol features the letter "D" with two horizontal lines, inspired by the UAE flag, representing the currency’s stability. Additionally, the digital dirham has its own unique symbol—a circle surrounding the physical dirham symbol, incorporating the UAE’s national colors to reflect pride and identity.
According to CBUAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, the unveiling marks a major milestone in the Digital Dirham programme. "This reflects the significant advancements in the implementation of the Digital Dirham programme and a leap towards realizing the CBUAE’s vision," he stated.
The digital dirham is expected to be issued in the last quarter of the year for the retail sector, as central banks worldwide continue to explore digital currencies amid the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies.
Once launched, individuals and businesses will be able to access the digital dirham through licensed financial institutions, including banks, exchange houses, finance companies, and FinTech firms.