Fiserv Launches North Dakota Bank Payment Platform

Fiserv said October 1 that its digital-asset platform is live, with Roughrider Coin, a U.S. dollar-backed token for interbank payments in North Dakota, as its first use case. More than 90 banks and credit unions are participating in or can access the rollout, according to Fiserv, though the company has not said how many have made transactions. Roughrider Coin is designed for transfers among financial institutions, not for public purchase or use. The Bank of North Dakota says each token is backed one-to-one by U.S. dollars. VersaBank USA issues the token and handles minting, burning, custody and reserve management; Fiserv operates the platform, and the Bank of North Dakota provides oversight. Solana processes the blockchain transactions, while Fireblocks supplies digital-asset infrastructure and secured wallets. Participating institutions can access the service through Commercial Center, Fiserv’s online banking system, which is also used for conventional interbank transfers. The Bank of North Dakota says staff can initiate, approve and settle payments through familiar operational channels used for ACH transfers and wires.