Ripple Expands RLUSD Reach in UAE with Zand Bank Partnership

Highlights:

• Ripple partners with the UAE’s Zand Bank to connect RLUSD stablecoin with dirham-backed AEDZ. 
• This partnership will increase blockchain adoption for compliant multi-currency transactions and liquidity in the Middle East.
• Ripple also expands custody with Securosys CyberVault HSM and Figment for faster institutional security.

Ripple has expanded the reach of its RLUSD stablecoin in the Middle East through a new deal with Zand Bank. Zand is a regulated digital bank based in the United Arab Emirates. Under this partnership, Ripple’s US dollar-backed RLUSD connects with Zand’s AEDZ. AEDZ is the country’s first regulated stablecoin tied to the dirham. The goal is to move more financial services onto blockchain systems. It also supports tokenization and better liquidity management.

Ripple and Zand Advance Stablecoin Adoption in the UAE

Zand called the agreement a major step forward for real-world use of digital assets. The bank said regulated institutions are now looking more closely at blockchain for payments and settlements. Because of this, linking AEDZ with RLUSD should offer a compliant setup for multi-currency transactions.

Last year @Ripple agreed a payments partnership with UAE bank @Official_Zand

We’re now extending this partnership to explore a range of initiatives, from enabling support for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin within Zand’s regulated digital asset custody, to direct liquidity solutions… https://t.co/4o7nZ0z9oM

— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) February 10, 2026

Ripple’s Middle East managing director, Reece Merrick, stressed the value of the move. He said the expanded partnership shows Ripple’s support for the UAE’s digital economy. He added that Ripple wants to push stablecoin and tokenized asset adoption in the region. This, he said, will help build a strong base for the next phase of financial services.

The UAE has added stablecoins to its Digital Economy Strategy. The plan aims to double the digital economy’s share of non-oil GDP by 2032. At the same time, market estimates suggest the global stablecoin market could reach $4 trillion in the coming years. Meanwhile, RLUSD already has a market value of $1.5 billion, based on CoinGecko data.

Zand’s AEDZ token is backed one-to-one with dirham reserves. It also runs on several public blockchains. The bank said AEDZ uses independently audited smart contracts. In addition, it provides regular reserve reports to ensure transparency and compliance. Zand chief executive Michael Chan highlighted the value of the partnership. He said the deal marks an important step in growing the digital asset ecosystem. He added that it could change how governments and businesses use trusted blockchain solutions in the UAE.

Though the focus is on stablecoins, Ripple’s growth supports XRP’s long-term use. XRP often reflects Ripple’s business momentum, especially where RippleNet adoption rises. At press time, XRP traded at $1.40, up 1% in 24 hours.

Ripple Expands Custody Services With Securosys and Figment

Along with the Zand update, Ripple also announced new custody-focused partnerships. These include Swiss cybersecurity firm Securosys and staking provider Figment. Ripple said the goal is to make buying and setting up custody tools easier for institutions that manage digital assets. It should also reduce setup time.

📢MAJOR CUSTODY UPGRADE FROM RIPPLE!

Ripple just upgraded its custody platform with new security and staking tech.

This helps banks deploy custody and staking services faster without running their own validators. pic.twitter.com/tg9CdD6ZrU

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) February 10, 2026

Ripple now provides CyberVault HSM and CloudHSM from Securosys. Institutions can deploy these tools on-site or in the cloud. As a result, they can protect cryptographic keys without long approval steps or complex system links.

Securosys chief executive Robert Rogenmoser explained the need for trust. He said institutions must be fully confident about how cryptographic keys are stored and handled. By linking CyberVault HSM with Ripple Custody, institutions get a ready-to-use enterprise solution. It can be deployed quickly, stays simple, and still gives full control over cryptographic keys.