Zand
First fully digital UAE bank license; corporate arm banks the Gulf's crypto companies.
First UAE all-digital bank license; crypto-friendly corporate banking.
- Who holds it
- The company itself — it holds a full banking licence — UAE banking license.
- The ledger
- The bank’s own core ledger.
- If it fails
- A covered-deposit payout through the local scheme, up to its limit.
Derived from Zand’s regulation type and custody — a class of protection, not a guarantee. Limits and eligibility vary by scheme, balance and jurisdiction; confirm before you rely on it. What happens if a neobank shuts down →
The facts
| Category | traditional |
| HQ | Dubai, AE |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Custody | Custodial |
| Regulation type | Licensed bank |
| License detail | UAE banking license |
| Card | Visa · Digital banking |
| Yield | Deposits |
| Stablecoins | No |
| KYC | Yes |
| Active regions | MENA |
| Founders | Mohamed Alabbar-led group |
Verified links: official site ↗
Common questions about Zand
What is Zand?
Zand is a fiat neobank, headquartered in Dubai, AE and founded in 2022. Your money is held custodially, so Zand or its partner bank holds the balance and you hold a claim on it. It is regulated as a licensed bank (UAE banking license).
Does Zand have a card, and where can you use it?
It issues a Visa digital banking card. It is available in MENA.
Does Zand require KYC?
Yes. Zand requires identity verification (KYC) to open an account, as a licensed bank.
What does Zand cost?
From the verified fields: yield Deposits. Cashback and yield are "up to" figures that change constantly and often depend on a paid plan — confirm current terms with Zand before relying on them.
Peers
Wise · Telda · Wio Bank · YAP · Liv. · Pyypl
Zand appears in
Neobanks that hold their own banking license (132) · Neobanks available in MENA (85) · Neobanks that issue a Visa card (182) · Neobanks in UAE (14)
Figures compiled from public sources, for comparison only — not financial advice. "Up to" rates change constantly; always confirm with the issuer. Spotted an error? Suggest a fix.