Emirates NBD has become the first financial institution in the Middle East to go live on the Partior network, enabling real-time, blockchain-based cross-border payments through the multi-currency clearing and settlement platform.
The launch marks the first phase of a broader roadmap that will expand the service across additional currencies, settlement corridors and participating banks as the Partior network continues to grow globally.
The milestone strengthens Emirates NBD’s position in payments innovation as the bank accelerates the adoption of emerging technologies designed to improve settlement speed, payment transparency and operational efficiency for corporate and institutional clients.
The implementation follows a successful live U.S. dollar transaction in which J.P. Morgan acted as both the settlement and beneficiary bank. Emirates NBD is now offering real-time USD payments for corporate and institutional customers whose beneficiary accounts are held with J.P. Morgan.
Strategic partnership expands
The live rollout follows Emirates NBD’s strategic investment in and partnership with Partior, demonstrating the bank’s ability to move rapidly from collaboration to full commercial deployment within a regulated banking environment.
The transition from partnership to live execution reflects Emirates NBD’s broader strategy of integrating advanced financial technologies into its transaction banking platform to improve services for business clients.
The bank said the blockchain-based infrastructure enables faster settlements and greater transparency while supporting more efficient treasury operations for companies managing international payments.
The initial launch focuses on USD settlements, with plans to expand the network to additional currencies and banking partners as adoption grows.
Faster payment services
Commenting on the launch, Anith Daniel, Group Head of Transaction Banking Services at Emirates NBD, said the bank continues to introduce innovative solutions that create value for corporate and institutional customers as their banking requirements evolve.
He said moving from partnership to live execution on the Partior network enables Emirates NBD to offer faster USD settlements for J.P. Morgan beneficiaries, helping clients improve treasury management and payment efficiency.
Daniel added that the launch demonstrates the bank’s ability to deploy payment solutions that are secure, scalable and proven in live cross-border transactions involving global counterparties.
He noted that the initiative reflects Emirates NBD’s continued focus on adopting technologies capable of delivering tangible operational benefits for businesses conducting international transactions.
Read more: New UAE blockchain-powered service enables 24/7 multi-currency business payments
Blockchain adoption grows
The development comes as financial institutions worldwide increasingly adopt blockchain-based clearing and settlement infrastructure to reduce friction in international payments, improve transparency and accelerate the movement of capital across borders.
Blockchain-powered payment networks are gaining momentum as banks seek alternatives to traditional correspondent banking models that can involve multiple intermediaries, longer settlement periods and higher processing costs.
By enabling near real-time settlement, blockchain infrastructure can improve liquidity management, reduce operational complexity and provide greater visibility into payment processing.
Industry participants expect adoption to continue increasing as more financial institutions connect to blockchain-enabled settlement networks.
Humphrey Valenbreder, Chief Executive Officer of Partior, said the collaboration combines Emirates NBD’s regional banking strength with Partior’s blockchain-based clearing and settlement infrastructure to support more efficient global payments.
He said the partnership gives financial institutions greater speed and transparency in processing transactions while supporting broader participation as additional banks join the network across different currencies and markets.
Looking ahead, Emirates NBD plans to connect with more banking partners across multiple currencies through the Partior platform, further enhancing its cross-border payments offering with faster settlement times and programmable liquidity management capabilities.
