Ripple Cuts Deals with UAE’s Zand & Mamo as MENA Goes All-In on Blockchain

Ripple’s latest power play in the Middle East just dropped—partnering with UAE fintech disruptors Zand and Mamo while 64% of MENA execs place bets on blockchain over traditional finance. Because nothing says ’trust the system’ like bankers racing to decentralize it.

The partnerships aim to turbocharge cross-border payments in a region where remittances flow faster than oil. Meanwhile, legacy banks are left shuffling paperwork like it’s 2005.

One cynical take? When even desert kingdoms are building digital asset highways, maybe that ’temporary’ regulatory sandbox needs permanent foundations.

Blockchain Adoption in MENA Surges Amid Security Risks and Scalability

These partnerships are, right now, reflecting a growing momentum for blockchain-powered payments across the MENA region. Ripple’s 2025 New Value Report that was just released shows about 64% of finance leaders in the Middle East and Africa sort of view faster settlements as the top reason to adopt blockchain even though there are still some crypto security risks to think about.

New Partnerships and Regional Growth

Both of the new partners will be using Ripple Payments, which is a blockchain-powered cross-border solution that addresses some of the blockchain scalability solutions needed in the region. These Ripple blockchain partnerships in UAE are definitely aiming to cut costs and also settlement times while enhancing transparency for everyone involved.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, stated:

Institutional Blockchain Adoption

Zand Bank, which is actually the UAE’s first fully digital bank with a proper banking license, is advancing blockchain adoption in MENA through various initiatives and also has plans for an AED-backed stablecoin to streamline digital payments in the NEAR future.

For the consumer-focused fintech Mamo, the partnership supports its mission to simplify global payments for users.

Imad Gharazeddine, Mamo’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized:

Strategic Regional Expansion

These Ripple blockchain partnerships in UAE are definitely part of larger regional initiatives that have been in the works for some time now. Ripple currently discusses stablecoin policy with UAE regulators while also preparing for the Abu Dhabi launch of Hidden Road, the crypto brokerage it acquired for $1.25 billion back in April.

With approximately $70 billion in transactions processed and over 60 regulatory approvals worldwide, Ripple is establishing itself as a major infrastructure provider for blockchain payment clients who are looking for crypto security risks mitigation in their operations.

Blockchain adoption in MENA continues to grow quite rapidly as Ripple’s presence in the UAE demonstrates blockchain’s potential to transform financial services despite ongoing regulatory challenges and the fact that blockchain scalability solutions are still in development at this point. These Ripple blockchain partnerships in UAE more effectively address crypto security risks, which could lead more blockchain payment clients to join the network in the coming months.