Dubai, UAE — Digital banking platform Zand has announced a strategic partnership with Mastercard Move to power next-generation cross-border payments in the UAE, marking a significant step in the region’s push toward financial innovation.
About the Collaboration
Mastercard Move is Mastercard’s global payments solutions suite, supporting a wide range of transaction types — from P2P transfers and business payments to card transactions and mobile wallet payments. It also offers cash payout options to better serve financially underserved communities.
In the first phase of this partnership, Zand will leverage Mastercard Move’s technology to deliver deposit and cash pickup services, creating faster, more reliable, and more accessible payment experiences for customers.
Driving Payments Innovation in the UAE
The collaboration is aimed at boosting financial inclusion and enhancing cross-border payment efficiency, a key focus for both Mastercard and Zand as the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global fintech hub.
J.K. Khalil, EVP and Division President, East Arabia at Mastercard, said:
“At Mastercard, we are committed to driving innovation across the region’s payments landscape. Our collaboration with Zand will connect more people and businesses to the financial system, helping drive greater financial inclusion and economic opportunity in the UAE and across the region.”
A Milestone for Zand’s Digital Banking Vision
Zand CEO Michael Chan highlighted the potential for the partnership to accelerate the adoption of AI, blockchain, and payments technology in the region:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Mastercard to help drive the future of cross-border payments, and this exciting opportunity represents a significant milestone in Zand’s mission to accelerate the growth of the digital economy. The payments ecosystem is rapidly growing and evolving in the region and offers compelling potential to accelerate the applications of AI, blockchain, and payments technology.”
The Bigger Picture
With cross-border remittances being a vital part of the UAE’s economy, the Mastercard–Zand partnership could help streamline transactions for businesses, expatriates, and the unbanked population. By combining Zand’s digital banking platform with Mastercard’s global payments infrastructure, the collaboration aims to set a new standard for speed, security, and accessibility in regional and international payments.
