Hong Kong-based stablecoin issuer IDA recently entered into a strategic partnership with Zand Bank, the United Arab Emirates’ first fully licensed all-digital bank, to enhance cross-border financial services. This collaboration, formalized by an MOU signed between IDA’s Co-Founder and CSO Sean Lee and Zand Bank’s CEO Michael Chan, focuses on advancing seamless, cost-effective cross-border payments across the Belt and Road regions and BRICS Plus economies. With the increasing importance of digital transactions in global commerce, the two firms aim to provide businesses with efficient 24/7 digital payment solutions designed to support international growth.
The partnership is positioned to leverage blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to improve the speed, transparency, and reliability of cross-border payments, benefiting companies that trade within the Belt and Road network. Zand Bank, catering to both UAE-based and international corporate clients, aims to drive growth and foster sustainable economic development through digital financial services. By integrating stablecoins into cross-border payments, the two companies intend to simplify transactions, enabling businesses to operate with fiat-referenced digital currencies in regions including the Middle East, North Africa, and China.
Michael Chan expressed Zand Bank’s enthusiasm for this alliance, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to strengthening connections between the Middle East, North Africa, and China. This partnership is expected to enhance economic collaboration in these regions, creating a platform for businesses to seize emerging digital economy opportunities. The focus on blockchain-powered payments reflects the intention to make international transactions both accessible and efficient, providing clients with greater security and ease of transaction.
IDA’s Sean Lee shared the company’s excitement over the alignment of this partnership with broader goals of financial innovation and digital transformation across Asia and the Middle East. The integration of stablecoins into the payment process is intended to provide a new level of transparency and stability, allowing businesses to benefit from fiat-backed digital assets. Through this framework, IDA and Zand Bank aim to facilitate cross-border transactions with increased reliability, offering businesses the convenience needed for efficient financial operations in Belt and Road countries.
The collaboration between the UAE and Hong Kong, both prominent global financial centers, builds on a longstanding history of economic cooperation. According to recent reports by UAE publication The National, trade between the UAE and Hong Kong has seen rapid growth, marking one of the highest growth rates among the UAE’s major trading partners. Hong Kong acts as an important gateway for UAE-based companies seeking to access the Chinese market and other parts of Asia, while the UAE’s active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative reflects a commitment to sustainable economic expansion and international partnerships.
This partnership signifies a strong alignment with the UAE’s strategy of fostering sustainable growth and international collaboration through key economic initiatives. By using digital payments and blockchain technology, IDA and Zand Bank aim to unlock new opportunities in the global digital economy, positioning themselves at the forefront of financial innovation across the Belt and Road regions. This collaboration not only supports the broader financial ecosystem but also enhances the reliability and accessibility of digital payments for businesses engaged in these fast-growing trade routes.