Paysend receives In-Principle Licence Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 September 2026 - Paysend, a technology company building and operating global payments infrastructure, is today announcing that it has received In-Principle Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to establish a licensed presence in the Emirates. Paysend will be licensed in two categories: Stored Value Facility and Category IV Digital Exchange Business. This positive licensing signal from the CBUAE brings Paysend closer to establishing a regulated presence in the UAE and developing the country as the hub for Paysend’s Middle East operations. Paysend is committed to excellence in its end-to-end payments infrastructure, not only in licensing but also in its network, FX processing, treasury, and risk. Paysend’s ambition in the UAE, upon receipt of the full operating licence from the CBUAE, is to connect businesses and consumers to its global payments network, spanning over 25 billion endpoints across more than 170 countries. Paysend’s network encompasses digital wallets, cards and bank accounts through a single, regulated access point.

Paysend’s business model aligns with the UAE government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, which has been designed to foster a secure, technology-driven financial ecosystem while maintaining robust consumer protection and regulatory standards.

“The UAE has built a future-focused digital finance ecosystem, underpinned by a robust regulatory framework, and a clear commitment to financial inclusion. At Paysend, we are grateful for the constructive engagement, guidance, and support provided by the CBUAE throughout the licensing process. We look forward to making a valuable contribution towards positioning the UAE as a global hub for financial sector innovation. Connecting people and businesses in the UAE to a regulated, secure, global digital payments network they can depend on,” said Dr Junaid Ward, Regional CEO - UAE & GCC of Paysend.

Abdul Abdulkerimov, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Paysend, added: “A regional hub in the UAE is central to our work of building and operating the world’s largest digital payments network. Behind every corridor we open is a person or a business waiting on money that matters to them. Staying close to the people’s money is actually why we build the infrastructure ourselves. The UAE’s position as a global centre for financial regulation and digital finance makes it a natural market for that work to continue.”

About Paysend

Paysend is a technology company building and operating global payments infrastructure for seamless money movement. At the core is the world's digital payment network — 25+ billion endpoints across 170+ countries — alongside a growing portfolio of enterprise and consumer products. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in the UK, Paysend serves more than 12 million customers worldwide. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Note: Paysend will continue working closely with the CBUAE to satisfy all regulatory, operational, and other requirements associated with the In-Principle Approval. The company will not commence any regulated activities in the UAE unless and until the CBUAE grants the relevant final licences.