NSCCU Helps Pioneer Financial Innovation Through Roughrider Coin Pilot

North Star Community Credit Union is proud to announce its participation in the successful launch of Roughrider Coin, a new U.S. dollar-backed digital asset developed by Bank of North Dakota (BND) to modernize interbank payments and support the future of financial services across the state.

North Star was one of four North Dakota financial institutions selected to participate in the pilot program, working alongside BND to test and validate the technology before its broader rollout. The initiative positions North Dakota among the first states in the nation to introduce a dollar-backed stablecoin designed specifically for use by regulated financial institutions.

Roughrider Coin utilizes blockchain technology to support secure, near real-time settlement of transactions between participating financial institutions. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, Roughrider Coin operates within a controlled, regulated environment and is designed to complement existing banking systems while creating opportunities for faster, more efficient payment processing.

For North Star Community Credit Union, participating in the pilot was an opportunity to gain firsthand experience with emerging financial technology while ensuring the perspective of community credit unions was represented throughout the development and testing process.

“Theodore Roosevelt once said, ‘The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.’ North Star is proud to have been in the arena alongside BND from the earliest stages of testing Roughrider Coin,” said Bob Herrington, President and CEO of North Star Community Credit Union. “This successful rollout demonstrates what can happen when community financial institutions embrace innovation together. Roughrider Coin represents an important step toward faster, more efficient payments while preserving the strength and trusted relationships that make North Dakota’s financial institutions unique.”

The initiative highlights the unique partnership between Bank of North Dakota and the state's community financial institutions. As the nation's only state-owned bank, BND has long worked alongside local banks and credit unions to strengthen financial services, support economic development, and create opportunities for North Dakotans. Roughrider Coin builds on that history of collaboration, introducing new technology that has the potential to improve payment efficiency and create future opportunities for financial institutions and the members they serve.

While Roughrider Coin is currently designed for transactions between financial institutions rather than direct consumer use, its successful launch represents an important step forward for financial innovation in North Dakota. For North Star Community Credit Union, participating in this initiative reinforces its commitment to thoughtfully exploring emerging technologies while maintaining the security, reliability, and personal service its members have come to expect. The collaboration demonstrates what is possible when community financial institutions work together to embrace innovation and prepare for the future of financial services.

To learn more about Roughrider Coin and the Bank of North Dakota, visit https://bnd.nd.gov/roughrider