The United Arab Emirates marks a historic moment in the evolution of their digital economy. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has given the green light to Zand, the AI-powered digital bank, for the launch of Zand AED: the first regulated stablecoin backed by the Dirham (AED) on public blockchains.
This event represents a decisive step towards the integration of the national currency into global digital ecosystems, combining the security of a regulated banking institution with the speed and transparency of blockchain technology.
Zand AED stands out for being fully backed by reserves in Dirham, held in segregated and regulated accounts. This ensures that each token is always redeemable one-to-one with the real currency, thus offering maximum trust to users.
Transparency is guaranteed by smart contracts undergoing independent audits and periodic attestations of reserves, providing real-time assurance of full coverage.
One of the key elements of Zand AED is its availability on multiple public blockchains, enabling fast and borderless transactions. This feature facilitates integration for developers, businesses, and financial institutions, paving the way for new business models and unprecedented payment digitalization.
The stablecoin is issued by Zand Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zand Bank PJSC, an institution authorized and supervised by the CBUAE and rated BBB+ by Fitch Ratings. This ensures that the stablecoin is not only innovative but also compliant with the highest standards of security and regulation.
According to Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Zand, the launch of an AED stablecoin on a public blockchain is not just a milestone for the bank, but a true “breakthrough” for the United Arab Emirates.
“This initiative brings our national currency into the digital future and strengthens the UAE’s position as a global leader in financial innovation,” stated Alabbar.
Michael Chan, CEO of Zand, emphasizes that Zand AED is much more than just a stablecoin. “It is the Emirates’ bridge between traditional finance and decentralized finance.
It unlocks the next generation of payments, tokenization, and innovation in digital assets, all founded on trust, transparency, and regulatory clarity,” states Chan.
The global stablecoin market is set to reach $3 trillion in the coming years. In this scenario, Zand AED positions the United Arab Emirates at the forefront of regulated digital finance.
The stablecoin provides a secure and future-ready foundation for institutions, fintech, and developers looking to build innovative solutions in one of the world’s most advanced financial ecosystems.
Zand AED represents an ideal platform for those looking to leverage the potential of tokenization and digital payments.
Its regulated and transparent structure makes it particularly attractive for companies, fintech startups, and institutional investors, allowing them to operate in a secure yet dynamic environment, in line with the needs of an increasingly digital economy.
Founded with the goal of supporting the digital economy, Zand aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
By leveraging artificial intelligence, blockchain, and customer-oriented solutions, Zand seeks to revolutionize the financial world, offering tailored services for corporate, institutional, fintech, and wealth management clients.
Zand combines the speed and flexibility typical of fintech with the solidity and security of a fully regulated bank. Its mission is to empower innovators, ambitious leaders, and bold pioneers, helping them shape the future of finance and seize new opportunities for success.
The launch of Zand AED marks a turning point for the digitization of the United Arab Emirates’ national currency. Thanks to a regulated, transparent, and innovative structure, the stablecoin offers a secure and cutting-edge solution for the global digital economy.
The Emirates thus strengthen their role as leaders in financial innovation, paving the way for a new generation of digital payments and services.
For more information about Zand and its initiatives, you can visit the official website www.zand.ae.


