Emirates NBD has become the first financial institution in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region to enable real-time blockchain-based cross-border USD payments through the Partior network, marking a major step in the modernization of international payment infrastructure.
The rollout follows the bank’s successful integration with Partior, a multi-currency blockchain-based clearing and settlement network. The initial phase allows corporate and institutional clients to send real-time USD payments to beneficiary accounts held at J.P. Morgan, which acted as both the settlement and beneficiary bank during the first live transaction.
The launch is part of a broader strategy to expand the service to additional currencies, payment corridors, and participating financial institutions as the Partior network grows.
Emirates NBD said the initiative enhances cross-border payment efficiency by providing faster settlement, improved transparency, and more streamlined treasury operations for business clients. The milestone also reflects the bank’s ongoing investment in emerging financial technologies and its strategic partnership with Partior.
Anith Daniel, Group Head of Transaction Banking Services at Emirates NBD, said the bank is focused on delivering innovative payment solutions that meet the evolving needs of corporate and institutional customers. He noted that the move from partnership to live implementation demonstrates Emirates NBD’s ability to deploy secure, scalable, and regulated blockchain-based payment services.
The development comes amid growing adoption of blockchain-powered settlement infrastructure by financial institutions worldwide, as banks seek to reduce payment delays, improve transparency, and simplify cross-border transactions.
Partior Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Valenbreder said the collaboration combines Emirates NBD’s regional banking presence with Partior’s blockchain-based settlement technology to improve the speed and transparency of global payments. He added that the network will continue expanding as more banks connect across multiple markets and currencies.
Emirates NBD plans to further broaden its participation on the Partior network by connecting with additional banking partners and supporting more currencies, enabling faster settlement and programmable liquidity management for clients.
