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UAE digital bank Zand has partnered with Ripple to deploy a dual-stablecoin infrastructure for institutional payments and settlements, combining Zand’s dirham-backed AEDZ token with Ripple’s dollar-backed RLUSD to enable regulated cross-border transactions on blockchain rails.
Announced this year, the collaboration brings together Zand’s UAE dirham–backed stablecoin, AEDZ, and Ripple’s U.S. dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, to support multi-currency transactions within a compliant financial framework.
The initiative comes as banks and fintech firms globally explore blockchain infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce settlement risk.
By anchoring the effort in regulated stablecoins, the Ripple-Zand Partnership aims to address long-standing concerns around volatility and compliance that have slowed institutional adoption of digital assets.
Under the Ripple-Zand Partnership, the two firms will collaborate to deploy blockchain-based solutions that enable financial institutions to move traditional services on-chain.
Zand said the effort is designed to support settlement, payments, and liquidity management using stablecoins and tokenized assets, rather than speculative cryptocurrencies.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in expanding real-world use cases for digital assets,” — Zand spokesperson, in a company statement.
The bank emphasized that regulated institutions are increasingly evaluating blockchain-based rails as a way to modernize back-office processes while maintaining compliance with local regulations.
Ripple, which has focused heavily on enterprise blockchain solutions, described the collaboration as part of its broader strategy to support tokenized finance in regulated markets.
“Stablecoins are becoming foundational to on-chain finance, particularly for institutions that require price stability and regulatory clarity,” — Ripple representative, in a published statement.
By pairing AEDZ and RLUSD, the Ripple-Zand Partnership is structured to enable transactions denominated in both local and global currencies, a feature that could appeal to banks and corporates operating across borders in the Middle East and beyond.
A central goal of the Ripple-Zand Partnership is to facilitate multi-currency, on-chain transactions in a regulated environment.
Stablecoins backed by fiat currencies are increasingly viewed as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain networks, allowing institutions to move value without the price swings associated with assets like Bitcoin or Ether.
Zand noted that AEDZ is designed to reflect the stability of the UAE dirham while leveraging blockchain infrastructure for faster settlement.
Ripple’s RLUSD, meanwhile, is positioned as a dollar-backed instrument that can support global liquidity and interoperability across payment corridors.
“The combination of local- and dollar-denominated stablecoins creates a more flexible framework for institutions operating across jurisdictions,” — blockchain analyst at a regional financial consultancy, in commentary on the announcement.
The analyst added that such structures could reduce reliance on correspondent banking networks and lower transaction costs.
As regulators in the UAE continue to promote digital asset innovation within defined rules, the Ripple-Zand Partnership aligns with broader efforts to position the region as a hub for compliant blockchain finance.
Although the announcement focuses on stablecoins rather than XRP itself, market participants often view developments like the Ripple-Zand Partnership as supportive of Ripple’s long-term ecosystem.
XRP has historically traded as a proxy for sentiment around Ripple’s business momentum, particularly in regions where enterprise adoption of Ripple’s technology is expanding.
At press time, XRP was trading at approximately $1.41, up 1.3% over the past 24 hours.
Analysts caution that near-term price movements remain driven largely by broader crypto market conditions and investor risk appetite.
Still, they note that continued progress in enterprise partnerships can reinforce confidence over time.
“Ripple’s strategy has increasingly emphasized institutional use cases, and stablecoins are a key part of that narrative,” — digital assets strategist at a global brokerage, in market commentary.
The strategist said that while XRP is not directly used in every partnership, Ripple’s expanding footprint can influence perceptions of the network’s utility.
The Ripple-Zand Partnership also underscores a wider shift in how financial institutions approach blockchain adoption.
Rather than focusing on volatile cryptocurrencies, banks are prioritizing stablecoins and tokenization as tools to modernize financial infrastructure without introducing excessive risk.
By deepening its presence in the UAE through Zand, Ripple is reinforcing its focus on regulated markets where policymakers are open to innovation but demand strict oversight.
For Zand, the collaboration supports its ambition to play a leading role in the region’s digital economy.
As stablecoins gain traction globally, initiatives like the Ripple-Zand Partnership highlight how blockchain technology is being integrated into mainstream finance not as a speculative alternative, but as an operational upgrade.
For crypto investors and policymakers alike, the move signals that the next phase of adoption may be driven less by price volatility and more by practical, regulated use cases that connect traditional finance with on-chain systems.
