Bank of North Dakota Unveils Stablecoin Roughrider Coin for Interbank Use

TLDR

• North Dakota’s Roughrider Coin is US dollar-backed, supporting interbank transactions.
• Fiserv powers Roughrider Coin with digital asset platform for enhanced interoperability.
• Roughrider Coin named after Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders from the Spanish War.
• North Dakota’s has a reputation for being at the forefront of financial innovation.

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The Bank of North Dakota is making its entrance into the stablecoin market with the introduction of Roughrider Coin. This U.S. dollar-backed cryptocurrency is set to facilitate interbank transactions, merchant payments, and cross-border money movement. Set to launch in 2026, it will be available to banks and credit unions in North Dakota, positioning the state as a pioneering force in digital finance.

Partnership with Fiserv

In collaboration with payments firm Fiserv, the Roughrider Coin will operate on Fiserv’s digital asset platform, which was introduced in June. This platform also includes a white-label stablecoin service for banks.

Fiserv is a major player in the payments industry, processing over 35 billion merchant transactions in 2022 alone. With its robust digital infrastructure, Fiserv ensures that Roughrider Coin will be interoperable with other stablecoins, enabling seamless transactions across multiple platforms.

The Coin’s Namesake and Historical Significance

Roughrider Coin’s name honors Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Roosevelt, who served from 1901 to 1909, was a key figure in the Spanish-American War, leading the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry unit that fought in Cuba.

He later settled in North Dakota after retiring from politics. This historical connection adds a unique cultural and regional significance to the new stablecoin, further emphasizing the state’s role in this forward-thinking financial initiative.

The Bank of North Dakota’s Role

Founded in 1919, the Bank of North Dakota (BND) stands as the nation’s only state-owned bank. With assets exceeding $10 billion, BND has long supported local agriculture, commerce, and industry. The bank partners with North Dakota’s credit unions and regional banks to provide liquidity, loan participation, and secondary market services. BND’s profits are reinvested into state programs and economic development initiatives, strengthening the state’s financial ecosystem.

The state’s governor, Kelly Armstrong, remarked that issuing a stablecoin backed by real money is a significant move towards creating a secure and efficient financial ecosystem. This aligns with North Dakota’s reputation for being at the forefront of financial innovation.

In 2025, the Roughrider Coin will join a growing trend of state-issued stablecoins in the U.S. Wyoming, for instance, launched its Frontier Stable Token (FRNT) earlier this year. This coin, issued on multiple blockchains, was confirmed to be powered by Hedera in September. As North Dakota steps into the digital currency space, it brings a unique combination of state backing and regional innovation to the table, further shaping the landscape of U.S. digital finance.

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