Dubai – 19 May 2026
Lianlian DigiTech has secured a payment services licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), marking a major step in the company’s Middle East expansion strategy and reinforcing Dubai’s growing role as a global hub for cross-border financial innovation. Operating from Dubai International Financial Centre, the AI-driven digital payments provider will strengthen its regulated payment and settlement capabilities across the region while enhancing connectivity between the Middle East, China, and international markets.
The move signals Lianlian’s transition from regional market entry to establishing a licensed operational headquarters in the Middle East, further expanding its global compliance network, which now includes 68 payment licences and qualifications across key international markets. Through partnerships with regional banking institutions, the company aims to deliver more localised, efficient, and compliant payment infrastructure to support businesses operating across borders.
Emily Zhou, General Manager, UAE at Lianlian, described the DFSA licence as a strategic milestone in the company’s global localisation ambitions, noting that the Middle East continues to serve as a critical gateway linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. She added that Lianlian plans to deepen collaboration with financial institutions and ecosystem partners to build a more resilient regional payment network and strengthen support for international trade and cross-border commerce.
Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said Lianlian’s expansion highlights DIFC’s growing appeal for international FinTech firms seeking access to regional and global markets. He noted that the company’s expertise in cross-border transactions and compliant settlement infrastructure further strengthens DIFC’s position as the leading platform for Chinese firms in the region and reinforces its ranking among the world’s top global FinTech hubs.
Lianlian’s strategic focus on becoming an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider also aligns with DIFC’s ambition to become the world’s first AI-native financial centre, underscoring Dubai’s continued push to position itself at the forefront of financial technology and digital innovation.
