Zand, the UAE’s AI-powered digital bank, has announced a new partnership with Ripple, a blockchain-based digital payment company, to expand stablecoin-based financial services in the region. Meanwhile, the collaboration will focus on real-world digital payment and liquidity solutions using AEDZ and RLUSD stablecoins across regulated blockchain infrastructure. Zand and Ripple Expand Partnership Around Stablecoins On February 10, Zand and Ripple expanded their partnership to build new digital finance solutions using stablecoins and blockchain. The two companies are now focusing on connecting Zand’s UAE dirham-backed stablecoin (AEDZ) with Ripple’s US dollar-backed stablecoin (RLUSD). This integration aims to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent for businesses in the UAE and nearby regions. As part of the plan, RLUSD will be supported on Zand’s regulated digital asset platform. Both firms are also exploring direct liquidity links between AEDZ and RLUSD to allow smoother transfers between AED and USD. Zand and @Ripple , the leading provider of blockchain-based enterprise solutions across traditional and digital finance, are partnering to help advance and support the digital economy, with innovative solutions powered by the Zand AED (AEDZ) stablecoin and Ripple’s USD (RLUSD)… pic.twitter.com/8JXqjJgmTw — Zand (@Official_Zand) February 10, 2026 Zand is also working to issue AEDZ on the XRP Ledger, a blockchain known for fast and secure payments. Regulated Backing Behind AEDZ and RLUSD Zand confirmed that AEDZ is fully backed 1:1 by UAE dirham reserves kept in safe and regulated accounts. The stablecoin also goes through smart contract audits and regular reserve checks. RLUSD is backed by US dollar deposits, short-term government bonds, and cash-like assets, with regular third-party reports to ensure transparency. This strong reserve-backed system is meant to build trust and encourage wider use by businesses and institutions. UAE Digital Economy Gets Strong Support Zand CEO Michael Chan, CEO said stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchain rails can reduce friction in financial systems as more services move on-chain. He noted the partnership supports wider use of trusted digital finance tools across government and business sectors. “We believe that leveraging stablecoins, blockchain technology, and tokenization can unlock powerful new use cases as traditional finance moves on-chain.” However, Reece Merrick, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, at Ripple, said , “Our expanded partnership with Zand underscores our commitment to the UAE’s pioneering digital economy. Ripple’s regional leadership said the collaboration aligns with the UAE’s digital economy push and demand for transparent, efficient blockchain payment systems. Trust with CoinPedia: CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors. Investment Disclaimer: All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices. Sponsored and Advertisements: Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.