Aqua Labs co-founder says UAE tenants could pay rent in stablecoins within nine months as regulators near a finished framework

Tenants in the UAE could be paying rent in stablecoins within six to nine months, according to Bobby Zhou, co-founder of Aqua Labs Investment, who spoke at the Stablecoin and Digital Asset Innovation Forum 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

The prediction comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its digital asset regulatory framework and records rapid growth in stablecoin adoption, with blockchain-based payments increasingly moving beyond investment use cases into everyday transactions.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event held at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Bobby Zhou, co-founder of Aqua Labs Investment, argued that the technology needed to support stablecoin rental payments already exists.

Instead, he said the remaining challenge lies in bringing together developers, property managers, real estate agents, payment providers, and regulators to build an integrated ecosystem capable of supporting seamless digital rent payments.

The comments underscore the UAE’s broader ambition to position itself as a global hub for blockchain innovation while encouraging practical applications for digital assets across industries.

Stablecoin rental payments gain momentum in UAE property market

According to Zhou, stablecoin rental payments present an opportunity to modernise that long-standing process without requiring significant technological breakthroughs.

“All the tools are there,” — Bobby Zhou, Co-founder, Aqua Labs Investment.

Rather than viewing technology as the obstacle, Zhou believes collaboration is now the deciding factor.

Developers, estate agents and property management companies, he said, must “assemble a team and then assemble the tools” before digital rent payments can become commonplace.

Zhou expressed confidence that the transition could happen much sooner than many in the industry anticipate.

“We’re not talking about 2028; we’re talking about 2026,” — Bobby Zhou, Co-founder, Aqua Labs Investment.

He added that once the necessary institutions are aligned, “we’re talking about six to nine months.”

If realised, stablecoin rental payments would represent one of the first large-scale consumer use cases for regulated stablecoins in the UAE property sector. Unlike traditional bank transfers that may involve delays or processing fees, stablecoin transactions can settle almost instantly on blockchain networks, offering faster and potentially lower-cost alternatives.

Zhou also pointed to another sector already embracing blockchain settlement commodities trading.

“Commodity trading with stablecoin settlement for cross-border payment is a no-brainer.” — Bobby Zhou, Co-founder, Aqua Labs Investment.

Although he projected widespread adoption in commodities by 2028, Zhou acknowledged that current market momentum could accelerate that timeline.

Stablecoin rental payments supported by growing payment infrastructure

Beyond the property market, executives at the forum highlighted new partnerships designed to make stablecoin rental payments and other everyday crypto transactions more practical.

Digital asset custody provider Safeheron and crypto payments platform UPay signed a preliminary agreement aimed at connecting institutional-grade wallet security with consumer payment services. The collaboration reflects a wider industry effort to bridge the gap between securely holding digital assets and spending them in everyday life.

Owen Yang, founder and chief executive of UPay, said the partnership would allow customers using Safeheron’s custody infrastructure to access UPay’s payment network while enabling UPay users to benefit from Safeheron’s security capabilities.

According to Yang, the arrangement is intended to make digital assets easier to use beyond trading platforms.

“You can spend everywhere, and you can do the ATM withdrawal, and you can do the on-ramp, off-ramp easily. We support Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and also all stablecoins you have.” — Owen Yang, Chief Executive Officer, UPay.

Yang noted that one important feature direct transfers from crypto balances into local bank accounts is already available in markets such as Europe and Hong Kong but has yet to launch in the UAE because the company is awaiting regulatory approval.

“Once we get the licence, this will be a key feature we’re going to use,” he said.

The broader market appears increasingly ready for stablecoin rental payments. According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, stablecoins now account for 62% of all cryptocurrency transactions in the UAE this year, far exceeding Bitcoin at 9% and Ether at 7%.

Earlier research by the firm also found that the UAE received more than $53 billion in cryptocurrency transaction value during the year ending June 2025, representing a 33% increase from the previous reporting period. While institutional transfers continue to dominate overall transaction volumes, merchant payments and smaller commercial transactions have recorded the fastest growth.

Chainalysis concluded that cryptocurrency in the UAE is steadily evolving from a speculative investment asset into a practical payment solution for consumers and businesses alike a trend that could provide fertile ground for stablecoin rental payments as regulatory clarity and commercial adoption continue to improve.

Stablecoin rental payments backed by evolving UAE regulations

The outlook for stablecoin rental payments is also being shaped by years of regulatory development in the UAE. Since launching its digital currency strategy in March 2023, the UAE Central Bank has introduced a dedicated framework governing stablecoins, complementing the virtual asset regulations already established by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) which issued its 50th license two weeks ago.

The regulatory progress has been accompanied by significant milestones. AE Coin, the country’s first regulated stablecoin, received final approval in December 2024, while Tether was authorised to develop a locally regulated stablecoin in August 2025.

More recently, the dirham-pegged Digital Dirham Stable Coin (DDSC), jointly developed by International Holding Company, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding, secured approval from the UAE Central Bank and has already been used in high-value transactions.

Speaking at the forum, Wai Lum Kwok, Senior Executive Director of Authorisation at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), said the UAE’s stablecoin regulatory framework is nearing completion.

“I would say 99 per cent.” — Wai Lum Kwok, Senior Executive Director of Authorisation, Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Kwok said the country’s regulatory architecture places the UAE among the world’s early movers in digital asset regulation and suggested the framework could eventually serve as a model for other jurisdictions.

However, he noted that one important hurdle remains. While regulators have established comprehensive rules, many traditional banks remain cautious about offering services to stablecoin issuers because of concerns surrounding financial crime compliance and digital asset exposure on their balance sheets.

Even so, the continued rollout of regulated digital payment infrastructure strengthens expectations that stablecoin rental payments could become commercially viable as financial institutions grow more comfortable with blockchain-based settlement.

AI and digital finance could accelerate stablecoin rental payments

Beyond real estate, speakers at the forum argued that artificial intelligence could become another major catalyst for stablecoin rental payments and wider blockchain adoption.

Vincent Tse, chief executive of AiPayWithCrypto.com, said AI-powered payment agents are expected to generate transaction volumes far beyond those created by individual consumers. His company recently introduced the Agent Pay Card, which allows users to authorise an AI agent to carry out routine payments using their verified identity.

According to Tse, future payment systems will increasingly depend on blockchain networks because conventional banking infrastructure was not designed to process the volume of transactions autonomous AI systems could generate.

“If the AI cannot take the responsibility, nobody wants to use the AI.” — Vincent Tse, Chief Executive Officer, AiPayWithCrypto.com.

He added that AI-driven financial activity should ultimately be settled on blockchain networks rather than traditional fiat payment rails because digital assets provide the speed and efficiency required for machine-to-machine transactions.

While the technology is still developing, industry executives believe the combination of artificial intelligence, regulated stablecoins and supportive government policies could expand blockchain use well beyond trading and investment.

For the UAE, that evolution may begin with everyday commercial transactions such as stablecoin rental payments, allowing tenants and landlords to move away from paper cheques toward faster, programmable digital settlements.

Primary source: The National