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.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
XRP Today’s News: XRPL Develops Zero-Knowledge Proofs, $1.50 Becomes a Key Support and Resistance Level
XRP Ledger is developing zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology to enable selective privacy protection. Meanwhile, the ledger will support confidential tokens while balancing transparency and compliance. XRP is currently trading at $1.46, and in the short term needs to break through the key resistance of $1.50 to push higher toward more elevated targets.
MarketWhisper1h ago
XRP (XRP) increased by 8.47% in the past 24 hours
Gate News reports that on March 17, according to Gate's market data, as of press time, XRP is trading at $1.56, up 8.47% in the past 24 hours, reaching a high of $1.57 and a low of $1.37. The 24-hour trading volume has reached $4.425 billion. The current market capitalization is approximately $95.776 billion, an increase of $7.476 billion compared to yesterday.
XRP Ledger (XRPL) is a decentralized public blockchain led by a global community of enterprises and developers, dedicated to solving problems and creating value. XRPL has been proven to operate reliably for over ten years with a flawless record, offering developers a streamlined development experience, low transaction costs, high performance, and sustainability. The blockchain has high-performance transaction processing capabilities, capable of completing thousands of transactions within seconds.
GateNews2h ago
The US XRP spot ETF experienced net outflows of $5.9786 million yesterday.
On March 16th, the US XRP spot ETF experienced net outflows of $5.9786 million, primarily caused by 21Shares XRP ETF, with historical cumulative net inflows of -$23.8680 million. Currently, the total assets under management of XRP spot ETF stands at $1.071 billion.
GateNews2h ago
XRP Transfers Soar 300%: Institutions Move On-Chain
In a recent video, Nick from NCash contemplated that 2026 marks a turning point for XRP and the broader digital asset market, claiming “everything has changed” as speculative trading gives way to institutional infrastructure.
The centerpiece of the thesis: XRP Ledger (XRPL) transactions have
DailyCoin2h ago
