Ripple is significantly expanding its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through strategic partnerships with Zand Bank and Mamo. This move is a major step forward, highlighting the increasing adoption of blockchain-powered solutions in both traditional finance and fintech sectors within the region. The expansion builds upon Ripple's recent achievement of securing a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in March 2025, enabling it to offer regulated virtual asset products and services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The UAE's strategic importance as a global hub for finance, technology, and innovation makes it a prime target for companies like Ripple. Its forward-thinking regulatory environment and high adoption rate of digital services are key factors driving this interest. Securing a strong foothold in the UAE is crucial for Ripple to expand its network and demonstrate the real-world utility of its blockchain technology.

Zand Bank, the UAE’s first fully digital bank, is an ideal partner for Ripple. With its focus on both retail and corporate clients, Zand Bank aims to provide innovative banking experiences through technology. Integrating Ripple’s blockchain technology could significantly enhance Zand Bank’s international payment offerings, providing faster settlements, lower costs, and increased transparency compared to traditional correspondent banking methods. Zand Bank also plans to launch an AED-backed stablecoin to streamline digital payments further.

Mamo, a payment app focused on simplifying money transfers for individuals and businesses, is another key partner for Ripple in the UAE. This partnership is likely to target the remittance and peer-to-peer cross-border payment markets, offering users a more efficient and cost-effective way to send money internationally. The collaboration could streamline these processes, reducing fees and providing a smoother user experience for international transfers.

At the heart of these partnerships is Ripple Payments, Ripple's cross-border payments platform that leverages distributed ledger technology (DLT) to facilitate faster, more reliable, and more affordable international money transfers. Ripple Payments connects banks, payment providers, and corporate treasuries globally, enabling them to send and receive payments instantly across borders with transparency. The platform allows partners to send payments in fiat currencies, utilizing the underlying DLT for messaging and settlement.

The success of Ripple's expansion in the UAE validates its strategy of focusing on regulated markets and partnering with established financial players. The UAE serves as a gateway to the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, potentially paving the way for further expansion. The DFSA license provides tangible benefits, opening doors to working with regulated entities and showcasing the diverse applications of Ripple Payments across different segments of the financial ecosystem.

Ripple Payments is accessible in over 90 markets and is utilized by firms in the U.S., Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, and Australia. Ripple also expanded into Portugal through a partnership with Unicambio, providing secure and efficient transactions.

Overall, Ripple’s partnerships with Zand Bank and Mamo in the UAE mark a significant milestone, expanding the reach of its Ripple Payments platform within a key global financial center and demonstrating the growing acceptance of blockchain-powered solutions in the region’s financial landscape.