Ripple has launched its cross-border blockchain payment services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), partnering with Zand Bank and fintech firm Mamo to utilize its Ripple Payments platform. This platform integrates stablecoins, cryptocurrencies, and fiat currencies to facilitate efficient international transactions.
The initiative follows Ripple’s acquisition of a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in March 2025, permitting the company to offer regulated crypto payment services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, emphasized that this development aims to address the inefficiencies of traditional cross-border payments, such as high fees, prolonged settlement times, and lack of transparency, particularly in one of the world’s largest cross-border payment hubs.
The UAE has been proactive in embracing digital assets, with initiatives like the recognition of stablecoins USDC and EURC under Abu Dhabi’s crypto token regime in 2025, and ongoing plans to establish a central bank digital currency, the digital dirham.
This strategic move by Ripple aligns with the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in financial technology, enhancing the country’s position in the evolving digital economy.
