Ripple Expands UAE Operations with New Partners Zand Bank and Mamo

Ripple has expanded its blockchain-based cross-border payments solution into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by securing two new institutional partners: Zand Bank and Mamo. This move follows Ripple's licensing by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), marking a significant step in the region's integration of crypto-finance. The DFSA license allows Ripple to offer end-to-end payment services, enabling 24/7 transactions with settlements occurring in minutes rather than days, a substantial improvement over traditional systems.

Zand Bank, a fully licensed digital bank, will integrate Ripple’s solution to enhance its international payment capabilities and support future blockchain-based initiatives, including an AED-backed stablecoin. This stablecoin is expected to facilitate seamless and real-time domestic and global transfers for both institutional and retail clients. Mamo, a leading UAE-based fintech, aims to simplify global payments for individuals and small businesses through its partnership with Ripple, offering reliable and fast cross-border transfers to its user base.

Both institutions have highlighted Ripple’s ability to address traditional pain points such as high fees, delays, and lack of payment transparency. According to Ripple’s 2025 New Value Report, 64% of financial leaders in the Middle East and Africa cite faster payments as the top reason for adopting blockchain-based currency flows. This underscores the growing demand for efficient cross-border payment solutions in the region, which is forecasted to become home to over 1 million businesses by 2030.

Ripple Payments has evolved into a global network processing more than $70 billion in volume, spanning 90+ payout markets and covering over 90% of the daily FX market. Ripple’s infrastructure is designed for scale, with its licensed payments solution operational in major economies including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Switzerland. With over 60 regulatory licenses worldwide, Ripple has demonstrated its ability to navigate the complex global compliance landscape, a necessity for crypto adoption at the institutional level.

As central banks, digital-first banks, and fintechs converge in the UAE’s pro-crypto environment, Ripple’s timing is strategic. Its combination of real-time settlement, regulatory compliance, and wide geographic coverage positions it at the forefront of blockchain-enabled finance in the region. This expansion into the UAE strengthens the region's role as a crypto payments hub, offering a faster, low-cost, and transparent financial infrastructure that aligns with the global trend of accelerating crypto adoption, particularly across fintech and emerging markets.