Ripple announces the expansion of its partnership with Zand Bank in the UAE, connecting its USD stablecoin RLUSD with the AED stablecoin AEDZ issued by the bank. Ripple executive Reece Merrick revealed that both parties will advance collaborations on custody, liquidity bridging, and new token issuance on the XRP Ledger, aiming to create a more efficient on-chain settlement network in the Middle East.
This upgrade builds on their early cross-border payment cooperation. In 2025, Ripple and Zand Bank first teamed up to leverage blockchain technology to provide faster, lower-cost settlement solutions for enterprises. As one of the UAE’s leading digital banks, Zand Bank operates an AI-driven platform focused on the digital economy and tokenized finance. By the end of 2025, the bank launched the AEDZ stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham, becoming one of the region’s first regulated local currency stablecoins.
RLUSD has also seen positive regulatory progress in the UAE. Relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai approved its use in certain licensed scenarios by the end of 2025, enabling enterprises to conduct on-chain settlement and liquidity management within a compliant framework. Since its launch, RLUSD’s supply has continued to grow and has been integrated by multiple institutions for corporate payments and fund management.
In the new phase of cooperation, Zand Bank plans to support RLUSD within its regulated digital asset custody services, allowing institutional clients to hold and use it securely. The two parties will also establish a direct liquidity channel between RLUSD and AEDZ, making cross-border transfers faster. Additionally, Zand Bank may issue its AEDZ stablecoin on the XRP Ledger, creating a closer technical connection with the Ripple ecosystem.
This development indicates that stablecoins are evolving from mere crypto assets into real financial infrastructure. The UAE continues to promote digital asset innovation, providing a regulatory environment for tokenized payments. By connecting USD and local currency stablecoin channels, Ripple and Zand Bank are accelerating the integration of traditional finance with blockchain, opening new possibilities for on-chain settlement and cross-border trade in the Middle East.
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