Chinese digital payment provider Lianlian DigiTech has secured a payment services license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

The regulatory approval supports the company’s transition toward a licensed regional headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to offer regulated payment and settlement services.

The licensing marks a shift in the company’s Middle East strategy from initial market entry to establishing a licensed regional presence.

Working alongside local banks, Lianlian will offer tailored payment services designed to facilitate seamless fund flows within the Middle East and across international markets.

The company plans to refine its transaction framework to provide stable cross-border financial connectivity for enterprises expanding into or out of the region.

“Securing a DFSA license represents a key step in advancing Lianlian’s global localisation strategy,”

said Emily Zhou, General Manager for UAE at Lianlian.

She noted that the company will deepen collaborations with local financial institutions to build a resilient regional payment network.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said:

“Lianlian’s expertise in managing cross‑border transactions will support businesses that rely on efficient and compliant settlement infrastructure.”

Lianlian holds 68 payment licenses globally and operates its payment network across more than 100 countries.

The company recently announced plans to develop an AI-driven global financial infrastructure model, aligning with DIFC’s ambition to become an AI-native financial centre.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by DIFC