Arab Bank and Fuze have partnered to explore digital asset innovation in Jordan, combining banking expertise with fintech infrastructure to develop regulated, next-generation financial services.
The financial landscape in the Middle East is preparing for a sophisticated digital shift as AB Xelerate, Arab Bank’s fintech accelerator, enters into a strategic partnership with Fuze. The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the development of digital asset products and services within the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This collaboration is designed to align with the country’s Economic Modernisation Vision, with a focus on creating a regulated, future-ready financial infrastructure to boost national competitiveness.
The partnership aims to leverage the Digital Assets as a Service (DaaS) infrastructure provided by Fuze alongside the extensive regional banking expertise of Arab Bank. A primary focus of the collaboration is assessing specific use cases that can be integrated into existing digital banking channels. These efforts are being conducted within the Jordan Regulatory Sandbox, known as JoRegBox, ensuring that every innovation remains compliant with security standards and subject to the oversight of relevant national authorities.
Eric Modave, the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at Arab Bank, stated that digital assets represent a critical emerging area for the industry. He explained that collaborating with a regional expert like Fuze is perfectly aligned with the bank’s commitment to delivering secure, value-driven solutions for its customers. The scope of the agreement covers a wide range of operational pillars, including product design, risk management frameworks, and the technical integration of new asset classes into the broader banking ecosystem.
The CEO of Fuze, Mohammed Ali Yusuf, said his team is honoured to support the bank’s forward-facing digital asset strategy. He noted that responsible innovation must be built on a foundation of secure and compliant infrastructure. Over the coming months, the focus will be on developing next-generation solutions that allow for the safe custody and transfer of digital assets. This move reflects a growing institutional interest across the Middle East in bank-led innovation, where trusted financial brands provide the necessary layer of security for new technologies.
This cooperation is expected to accelerate the evolution of Jordan’s digital asset ecosystem by providing a clear path from experimentation to implementation. By addressing compliance considerations and operating models early in the design phase, both parties aim to create user-friendly offerings that meet the high standards of modern consumers. The partnership highlights a broader trend in the region, where established banks are increasingly turning to specialised fintech infrastructure providers to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital future.
As the project progresses, the technical teams will work closely to ensure that any new products are fully optimised for the bank’s existing digital infrastructure. This methodical approach to innovation helps to mitigate risks while allowing the institution to stay at the forefront of global financial trends. The eventual rollout of these services, subject to final regulatory approvals, could set a new benchmark for how digital assets are managed and traded within the regulated banking sector of North Africa and the Middle East.
Key takeaways
- Arab Bank and Fuze are collaborating to develop digital asset solutions in Jordan
- Partnership leverages DaaS infrastructure and banking expertise
- Initiatives are being tested within Jordan’s regulatory sandbox (JoRegBox)
- Focus includes product design, custody, risk management and integration
- Reflects growing trend of bank-led digital asset innovation in the Middle East
- Aims to support regulated adoption of digital assets and financial modernisation
