Zand and Ripple expand partnership to advance UAE stablecoin infrastructure
DUBAI, UAE – February 15, 2026 — Zand, the UAE’s AI and blockchain-powered digital bank, and Ripple announced an expanded strategic partnership to drive stablecoin adoption across the UAE’s digital economy. The collaboration will integrate Ripple’s USD stablecoin (RLUSD) into Zand’s regulated digital asset custody services, develop direct liquidity channels between Zand’s AED-pegged stablecoin (AEDZ) and RLUSD, and explore issuing AEDZ on Ripple’s XRP Ledger (XRPL). The initiatives are subject to regulatory approvals, with no specific timelines or transaction volumes disclosed.
Announcement specifics
The partnership targets three core deliverables: first, custody of RLUSD within Zand’s regulated infrastructure; second, creation of AEDZ-RLUSD liquidity pairs to enable seamless USD-AED conversions; and third, potential migration of AEDZ to the XRPL blockchain for enhanced compliance and operational efficiency. The expansion builds on a 2025 payments collaboration between the two entities. All volumes and launch dates remain undisclosed pending regulatory clearance from UAE authorities.
Stakeholder perspectives
“We believe that leveraging stablecoins, blockchain technology, and tokenization, can unlock powerful new use cases as traditional finance moves on-chain. Our partnership with Ripple represents a significant step forward in the growth of the digital asset ecosystem, and has the potential to revolutionize how both governments and businesses engage with trusted blockchain solutions in the UAE.”
— Michael Chan, CEO at Zand
Why it matters: This positions Zand as the bridge between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure, enabling UAE institutions to access on-chain financial services through regulated channels.
“Our expanded partnership with Zand underscores our commitment to the UAE’s pioneering digital economy… We look forward to driving the adoption of stablecoins and tokenized assets in the region, creating a robust foundation for the next generation of financial services.”
— Reece Merrick, Ripple
Why it matters: Ripple’s infrastructure deployment in the UAE signals a shift from speculative crypto markets toward regulated institutional blockchain applications.
Industry context
Stablecoin markets are projected to reach $4 trillion in total value, with regulated AED-pegged instruments like AEDZ offering differentiated utility for MENA cross-border commerce and treasury operations. The partnership aligns with the UAE’s Digital Economy Strategy, which targets doubling the non-oil sector’s GDP contribution by 2031. Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to attract digital asset firms through VARA and ADGM regulatory frameworks, positioning the UAE as the Middle East’s primary blockchain hub ahead of competing financial centers in Riyadh and Bahrain.
Conclusion
The Zand-Ripple partnership establishes critical infrastructure for stablecoin-enabled payments and tokenized asset growth across the UAE. Regulatory approvals will unlock pilot programs for government and corporate treasury applications, directly supporting national digital GDP objectives.
Sources: The Fintech Times, Bitcoin.com, The Paypers, Ripple
