Zand and Ripple Partner to Advance UAE’s Digital Economy with Stablecoin Innovation
Zand, a UAE-based AI and blockchain-powered digital bank, has partnered with Ripple to drive the nation’s digital economy, using Zand’s AED-backed stablecoin (AEDZ) and Ripple’s USD stablecoin (RLUSD).
Building on their previous payments partnership, Zand and Ripple are expanding collaboration to drive innovation in digital assets. Initiatives include RLUSD support within Zand’s regulated custody, direct liquidity between AEDZ and RLUSD, and AEDZ issuance on the secure, transparent XRP Ledger (XRPL).
Leveraging XRPL’s robust compliance and risk controls, Ripple is further enhancing institutional digital-asset management with advanced compliance, staking, and security solutions.
Furthermore, Deutsche Bank is collaborating with Ripple and SWIFT to develop a blockchain-powered ledger, enhancing the speed, security, and efficiency of cross-border payments.
Zand CEO Michael Chan welcomed the partnership, stating:
AEDZ is the UAE’s first regulated, multi-chain AED-backed stablecoin, fully backed by reserves in segregated, regulated accounts and independently audited for transparency and trust.
Similarly, RLUSD is an enterprise-grade stablecoin backed by high-quality reserves, including USD deposits, short-term U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents, reinforced by monthly third-party attestations to ensure reliability and transparency.
The global stablecoin market is set for explosive growth, potentially reaching $4 trillion in the coming years, driven by rising adoption in payments, DeFi, and institutional interest.
In the UAE, stablecoins are a cornerstone of the Digital Economy Strategy, targeting a doubling of the digital economy’s contribution to non-oil GDP by 2032. Meanwhile, Latin America’s Bitso leverages XRP, RLUSD, and Ripple Payments to simplify cross-border transactions.
By integrating AI, blockchain, and tokenization, Zand and Ripple are set to transform cross-border payments, unlock new financial use cases, and connect traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem, advancing innovation and strengthening the UAE’s vision as a global digital finance hub.
The Zand-Ripple partnership showcases how stablecoins and blockchain can power secure, efficient, and scalable financial solutions, accelerating the UAE’s digital economy.
The Zand-Ripple partnership highlights blockchain and stablecoins’ power to reshape finance. By merging regulatory compliance, advanced technology, and cross-border liquidity, it strengthens the UAE’s digital economy and sets a model for seamless integration of traditional and digital finance.
Such initiatives drive innovation, boost financial inclusion, and position the UAE as a global leader in the evolving digital asset landscape.
