Dubai – September 08, 2026 -- XTransfer, a global B2B cross-border payments platform, has secured an in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) for a retail payment services license, a step that will let the company serve UAE clients outside free zones.
CBUAE approval clears path for regulated payment expansion
Once pre-licensing conditions are met, the license will allow XTransfer to expand its regulated B2B payment services across the UAE, targeting companies engaged in international trade with compliant, secure cross-border payment solutions.
UAE anchors XTransfer's Middle East and Africa strategy
The UAE serves as a major regional hub for trade and re-export, linking Chinese commerce with Africa and other emerging markets. XTransfer's UAE presence is intended to strengthen payment flows between China, the Middle East and Africa.
CEO cites UAE as gateway between Asia, Middle East and Africa
"This licensing marks a decisive step in XTransfer's global regulatory expansion," said Bill Deng, founder and CEO of XTransfer. "The UAE is among the world's leading commercial hubs and a critical gateway between Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This approval reinforces our confidence in the UAE market and its long-term growth potential across the region."
Move follows prior licenses across Asia and Europe
The UAE approval follows XTransfer's licensing in major trade hubs across Asia and Europe, marking a new milestone in its international regulatory footprint and growing presence in the Middle East. The company said it will continue investing in regulated markets and payment infrastructure to support SMEs and trading firms operating cross-border.