Ripple Doubles Down on UAE—Inks Deals With Two Major Payment Players

Ripple’s pushing deeper into the Middle East’s crypto sandbox—just as regulators start eyeing the oasis.

The blockchain firm locked partnerships with two undisclosed UAE payment processors, expanding its cross-border rails in a region that’s fast-tracking crypto adoption (while conveniently overlooking volatility).

One exec’s canned quote about ’financial inclusion’ almost makes you forget this is the same company still battling the SEC. Almost.

Ripple Cleared to Offer 24/7 Global Payments After Regulatory Win

The regulatory milestone allows Ripple to offer full end-to-end payment services, including instant settlement and 24/7 fund transfers.

“Securing our DFSA license enables Ripple to better serve the demand for solutions to the inefficiencies of traditional cross-border payments, such as high fees, long settlement times, and lack of transparency, in one of the world’s largest cross-border payments hubs,” said Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa.

The addition of Zand Bank and Mamo signals a shift in how institutions in the UAE are approaching digital finance.

Zand Bank, which holds a full banking license, is incorporating blockchain and AI into its services.

Chirag Sampat, the bank’s Head of Treasury and Markets, confirmed that the institution plans to launch an AED-backed stablecoin, further expanding the country’s blockchain footprint.

Ripple Payments momentum is building in the UAE.https://t.co/gFiwxXWfM5

Following our DFSA license, Zand Bank and @MamoPay are now live on Ripple Payments—bringing always-on, blockchain-powered cross-border payments to one of the world’s top remittance hubs.

Mamo, a Dubai-based financial technology company, is also leaning into blockchain to meet the country’s rapidly growing business landscape.

CEO Imad Gharazeddine noted that the UAE is projected to host over a million businesses by 2030, and emphasized the need for fast, reliable financial services.

“Our partnership with Ripple is a big step forward. It allows us to offer faster, more reliable cross-border payments for both businesses and consumers,” Gharazeddine said.

Ripple’s technology supports 90+ payout markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s daily foreign exchange volume.

The firm says it has processed over $70 billion in payments globally and holds more than 60 licenses and registrations, including regulatory approval in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Switzerland, and now Dubai.

UAE Continues to Attract Crypto Firms

The MOVE comes as the UAE continues to position itself as a regional hub for blockchain innovation and crypto finance, with regulatory clarity attracting major global players.

As reported, a state-backed investment firm in Abu Dhabi is set to make a $2 billion investment into crypto exchange Binance using USD1, a stablecoin developed by World Liberty Financial — a crypto venture closely tied to the Trump family.

Experts claim the UAE is poised to become a key destination for crypto and stablecoin ventures seeking refuge from the European Union’s (EU) newly implemented Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.

The regulatory framework, which took full effect on December 30, is creating significant challenges for crypto firms within the 27-member bloc, prompting many to consider relocating, according to industry experts.

Among its stringent requirements, small stablecoin issuers must hold 30% of their reserves in low-risk EU-based commercial banks, while major players like Tether face a mandate to maintain 60% or more in similar institutions.