Abu Dhabi, UAE — Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, on Wednesday executed the first-ever cross-border payment using the UAE’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), marking a historic milestone in the nation’s digital financial transformation.
The landmark Digital Dirham transaction—conducted between the UAE and China—took place during Sheikh Mansour’s meeting with Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).
The CBDC transfer was facilitated through the ‘mBridge’ network, officially launching a next-generation cross-border payment platform designed to enhance global transactions, accelerate settlement times, and reduce processing costs. Developed collaboratively by Emirati and Chinese banks, mBridge is expected to expand further in 2026 with the participation of additional central banks.
During the ceremony—which was attended by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE—the UAE also announced the first multi-scheme prepaid card, branded ‘Jaywan–UnionPay’. The inaugural transaction using the new card was successfully executed at the event.
“These advanced initiatives reflect the depth of the strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China, and open new horizons for economic, financial, and technological cooperation,” Sheikh Mansour said. “The launch of the ‘mBridge’ platform, the interlinking of instant payment systems, and the introduction of the multi-scheme prepaid card ‘Jaywan–UnionPay’ represent tangible steps towards developing a modern and secure financial infrastructure that fosters innovation and facilitates seamless cross-border payments.”
The development follows another major milestone achieved last week, when the UAE government completed its first domestic transaction using the Digital Dirham. The Ministry of Finance and the Dubai Department of Finance—working closely with the CBUAE—executed the transaction, underscoring the country’s commitment to embedding next-generation financial technology across both public and private sectors.
Together, these advancements position the UAE at the forefront of global financial innovation and reinforce its leadership in shaping the future of digital economies.
