Ripple Partners with Zand to Enhance RLUSD on XRP Ledger

Ripple has expanded its partnership with Zand Bank, the UAE's first AI- and blockchain-powered digital bank, to integrate its USD-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD, with Zand's dirham-pegged stablecoin, AEDZ, on the XRP Ledger. The deal, announced on February 10, 2026, builds on an initial payments collaboration from mid-2025 and establishes a dual-stablecoin system for both cross-border and domestic transactions in the UAE.

The expanded scope covers three key areas: integrating RLUSD into Zand's regulated digital asset custody framework, exploring direct liquidity channels between RLUSD and AEDZ, and potentially issuing AEDZ directly on the XRP Ledger.

What Does the Dual-Stablecoin System Look Like?

The idea is straightforward. RLUSD handles international USD-based settlements, while AEDZ covers domestic AED-based transactions. Together, they create a two-lane highway for institutional money to move between currencies on compliant blockchain rails.

RLUSD, which currently holds a market cap of roughly $1.5 billion, is backed by USD deposits, short-term US government bonds, and cash equivalents, with monthly third-party attestations. AEDZ is the UAE's first regulated multi-chain stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the dirham and fully backed by AED reserves held in segregated accounts. Both stablecoins use audited smart contracts and regular reserve checks.

Zand, licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE since 2022, will provide a custody environment that enables this for institutional users. The entire setup is overseen by both the CBUAE and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Why Does the XRP Ledger Matter Here?

The choice of XRPL as infrastructure isn't random. The network settles transactions in 3 to 5 seconds at an average cost of $0.0002, and it includes a native decentralized exchange that enables seamless trading across assets. For a setup that needs fast, cheap, and compliant settlement, those specs matter.

Ripple is also tightening its institutional toolkit. Through a separate deal with Securosys, it now offers hardware security modules (CyberVault and CloudHSM) that let institutions secure cryptographic keys without lengthy procurement cycles. "We're removing the friction of managing complex tech stacks and enabling our customers to go live faster and scale with confidence," said Aaron Slettehaugh, Ripple SVP of Product.

What's the Bigger Picture for the UAE?

This partnership ties directly into the UAE's Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to double the digital economy's share of non-oil GDP by 2032. The country has built a clear framework for digital assets and already ranks high on Chainalysis' 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index for institutional activity.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai approved RLUSD for certain licensed activities in late 2025, which opened the door for partnerships like this one. AEDZ launched around the same time, adding a dirham-pegged option to public blockchains.

The potential impact extends beyond the UAE. Global remittances still incur an average fee of 6.2%, according to World Bank data, and traditional cross-border settlements take 3 to 5 days. Industry projections cited by Ripple and Zand suggest the global stablecoin market could reach $4 trillion in the coming years, driven by DeFi and institutional adoption.

Michael Chan, CEO of Zand, pointed to the broader shift happening in finance. "Leveraging stablecoins, blockchain technology, and tokenization can unlock powerful new use cases as traditional finance moves on-chain," he said.

Reece Merrick, Ripple's Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, tied it to the UAE's digital ambitions. "Our collaboration is a key step in our mission to provide the UAE with the most secure, transparent, and efficient blockchain-powered financial tools available today," he said.

Sources:

• Cryptopolitan Full breakdown of the expanded partnership, Securosys HSM integration, and stablecoin market projections.
• Bitget News Coverage of XRPL technical specs, regulatory context, and remittance cost data.
• Zand Bank Official X Original announcement post from Zand confirming the partnership expansion.
• CoinPedia Additional details on AEDZ reserve backing and RLUSD custody integration.