Ripple is accelerating its regional ambitions with a fresh push into the UAE, forming alliances with Zand Bank and fintech startup Mamo to expand its blockchain-powered payment network.
This move follows the firm’s regulatory greenlight from Dubai’s Financial Services Authority earlier this year — a milestone that opened doors across the Middle East’s financial landscape.
Zand, the UAE’s first digital-only bank, is now tapping Ripple’s infrastructure to modernize cross-border transfers and explore stablecoin issuance backed by the dirham (AED). The initiative positions the bank at the forefront of blockchain adoption in the region’s banking sector.
Meanwhile, Mamo is integrating Ripple’s platform to streamline remittances, aiming to deliver faster and more cost-effective services to customers. According to CEO Imad Gharazeddine, the partnership allows the company to scale operations with greater confidence in security and reliability.
Ripple’s payment network now spans over 90 countries and has processed more than $70 billion globally. A key feature is its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) system, which uses XRP as a bridge asset to settle transactions instantly — a model that’s gaining traction in corridors where traditional banking rails remain inefficient.
The UAE’s proactive stance on fintech regulation and digital assets makes it an ideal launchpad for Ripple’s continued expansion. With these new partnerships, Ripple is signaling that its ambitions in the region are only just beginning.
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