Chinese fintech firm Lianlian DigiTech has obtained a payment services licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), establishing its licensed regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and marking a significant step in its Middle East expansion.
The licence positions Lianlian to deepen its cross-border payment and settlement operations across the Middle East, with a focus on enabling seamless fund flows between the region and international markets. The company will work with local banking partners to deliver more localised payment solutions for businesses moving money into and out of the region.
Emily Zhou, General Manager UAE at Lianlian, said the Middle East represents a critical trade and financial gateway connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. She added that the DFSA licence advances the company's global localisation strategy and that Lianlian plans to continue building partnerships with local financial institutions to strengthen its regional payment network.
DIFC Authority's Chief Business Development Officer Salmaan Jaffery welcomed the move, noting that Lianlian's expertise in cross-border transactions would support businesses that depend on efficient and compliant settlement infrastructure. He also highlighted that the addition reinforces DIFC's standing as a leading platform for Chinese firms and its ranking among the top five global fintech hubs in the Global Financial Centres Index.
The development aligns with Lianlian's broader ambition to evolve into an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, a direction that also mirrors DIFC's own goal of becoming the world's first AI-native financial centre.
Lianlian currently holds 68 payment licences across key markets and operates a payment network covering more than 100 countries and regions. The DIFC base expands its regulated footprint and strengthens its ability to connect China, the Middle East and global markets through compliant payment infrastructure.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
