Ripple continues to solidify its global footprint with the announcement of two major partnerships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company has onboarded Zand Bank and Mamo as new customers for its blockchain-powered cross-border payments platform, Ripple Payments. This strategic expansion follows Ripple’s recent regulatory milestone—the acquisition of a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in March 2025—marking a significant step in its Middle East growth strategy.
This development underscores the growing adoption of blockchain-based financial infrastructure in one of the world’s most forward-thinking fintech hubs. With Dubai positioning itself as a global leader in digital finance, Ripple’s entrance into the region aligns perfectly with both institutional demand and regulatory evolution.
Strategic Partnerships Fuel Regional Growth
Zand Bank, a fully digital banking platform based in Abu Dhabi, and Mamo, a UAE-based fintech focused on cross-border transaction solutions, are now leveraging Ripple Payments to enhance their financial offerings. The integration enables faster, more efficient international money transfers—critical for businesses and consumers operating in a globalized economy.
“Securing our DFSA license enables Ripple to better serve the demand for solutions to the inefficiencies of traditional cross-border payments,” said Reece Merrick, Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at Ripple. “Partnering with innovative institutions like Zand Bank and Mamo allows us to deliver real-time, cost-effective payment experiences across borders.”
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The collaboration with Zand Bank is particularly notable as it coincides with the bank’s plans to launch an AED-backed stablecoin—an initiative that could further digitize the UAE’s financial ecosystem. “We are excited to soon launch an AED-backed stablecoin,” said Chirag Sampat, Head of Treasury and Markets at Zand Bank. “Our partnership with Ripple supports our vision of building a next-generation digital financial infrastructure.”
For Mamo, the integration means enhanced liquidity management and reduced settlement times. “Using Ripple’s services allows us to offer faster and more reliable cross-border payments,” said Imad Gharazeddine, CEO and Co-Founder of Mamo. “This is especially valuable for businesses looking to scale their operations across the UAE and beyond.”
Ripple Payments: Scaling Global Reach
Ripple Payments operates in over 90 payout markets worldwide and has processed more than $70 billion in transaction volume to date. The platform leverages Ripple’s proprietary blockchain infrastructure and a global network of payout partners to enable near-instant fund transfers—often within minutes.
One of the key technological differentiators is Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, which uses XRP as a bridge currency to facilitate instant fiat-to-fiat conversions. Instead of relying on pre-funded nostro accounts, financial institutions can convert one currency to XRP and then to the target currency on the receiving end, drastically reducing capital lockup and operational costs.
While not all transactions on Ripple Payments use XRP, those that do benefit from lower fees and faster settlement—critical advantages in high-frequency or high-volume environments.
The platform is now live in key financial centers including Dubai, the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Switzerland, reflecting Ripple’s strategy of targeting regions with strong fintech adoption and supportive regulatory frameworks.
Regulatory Milestone: DFSA License Opens Doors
The DFSA license is more than just a compliance achievement—it’s a strategic enabler. It authorizes Ripple to manage end-to-end global payments for banks, fintechs, and crypto firms operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This positions Ripple as a licensed provider in one of the most respected financial jurisdictions in the Middle East.
Regulatory clarity has long been a barrier to mainstream blockchain adoption. By securing formal approval from the DFSA, Ripple reinforces its commitment to compliant innovation—a message that resonates with traditional financial institutions wary of regulatory risk.
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This milestone also reflects Dubai’s broader ambition to become a hub for digital assets. With initiatives like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and progressive licensing frameworks, the UAE is attracting global players in blockchain, payments, and decentralized finance.
Core Keywords Driving Market Interest
The key themes shaping this narrative include Ripple, XRP, cross-border payments, blockchain payments, UAE fintech, On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), Zand Bank, and Mamo. These keywords reflect both technological innovation and regional market dynamics.
- Ripple remains at the center of institutional blockchain adoption.
- XRP continues to play a strategic role in liquidity solutions despite market fluctuations.
- The UAE is emerging as a critical node in the global fintech network.
- Partnerships with institutions like Zand Bank and Mamo demonstrate real-world utility beyond speculation.
These elements combine to form a compelling case for blockchain’s role in modernizing legacy financial systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Ripple Payments?
A: Ripple Payments is a blockchain-based platform that enables fast, low-cost cross-border transactions for banks and fintechs. It uses RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) to streamline international money transfers.
Q: Does every Ripple transaction use XRP?
A: No. While XRP is used in some transactions via ODL as a bridge currency, many payments on RippleNet occur without XRP, depending on the client’s needs and liquidity setup.
Q: Why is the UAE important for Ripple’s expansion?
A: The UAE offers a progressive regulatory environment, strong fintech infrastructure, and strategic geographic positioning between Asia, Europe, and Africa—making it ideal for cross-border payment innovation.
Q: What is On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)?
A: ODL is Ripple’s solution that uses XRP to provide instant liquidity for cross-border payments, eliminating the need for pre-funded accounts and reducing costs for financial institutions.
Q: Is XRP price performance linked to these partnerships?
A: While short-term price movements may not directly correlate, long-term adoption by banks and payment providers increases demand for XRP as a utility asset in global settlements.
Q: How does Ripple ensure compliance in different regions?
A: Ripple works closely with regulators and obtains necessary licenses—like the DFSA authorization—to operate legally and securely within each jurisdiction.
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Looking Ahead: Blockchain as Financial Infrastructure
The partnerships with Zand Bank and Mamo are not isolated events—they represent a broader trend of blockchain technology transitioning from experimental projects to core financial infrastructure. As more institutions seek efficiency, transparency, and speed, solutions like Ripple Payments offer a proven alternative to legacy systems like SWIFT.
With over $70 billion processed globally and operations spanning 90+ markets, Ripple is demonstrating that blockchain-based payments are not just viable—they’re scalable, secure, and increasingly preferred by forward-thinking financial institutions.
As the UAE accelerates its digital transformation agenda, collaborations like these will likely become more common, setting a precedent for other regions to follow. The convergence of regulation, innovation, and real-world application is paving the way for a new era of global finance—one where blockchain isn’t just an add-on, but the foundation.