Dubai to offer digital payments on Pundi X technology

Announcement by Dubai’s official credit bureau a world first for public sector blockchain payments

We’re proud to announce today that, together with Dubai’s official government credit bureau and our regional distribution partners, ebooc & loyalty labs, we will be bringing digital payments to the public sector in an historic moment for the adoption of blockchain.

Our partnership will see emcredit, the UAE’s official credit bureau and a subsidiary of the government of Dubai, bring our XPOS to hundreds of its store fronts across the city to allow consumers to pay bills, school fees and for utilities using digital currency.

The payments will be made via emcash — Dubai’s digital currency launched by emcredit, a state-backed subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economic Development.

Payments will be made via a bespoke Pundi X POS device created for ebooc fintech & loyalty labs for the exclusive use of emcredit with their branding will be dedicated to running a stable, digital equivalent of the UAE dirham (AED).

Today’s announcement confirms Dubai’s status as a global blockchain innovation centre and the first global capital to afford citizens the option to make essential payments on a digital currency.

An emcredit spokesperson said: “We are committed to continuously improving the services we offer to our customers in accordance with the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“To be the world’s first city to offer blockchain-based payment solutions to our residents is an exciting moment for Dubai. It confirms Dubai’s status as an international tech hub. Deploying cutting-edge technology such as blockchain is a key priority and is delivering benefits to our citizens in the form of convenience and securities to customers and merchants across Dubai”.

XPOS devices are expected be rolled out at shopfronts the region following today’s deal with provisions for an increase in coming years.

Our CEO and co-founder, Zac, said: “Bringing blockchain-based payments technology into the government sphere is a major development for the technology.

“But to be able to bring it to one of the great cities of the world and the most advanced economy in the Middle East makes today an historic moment for the real-world application of a technology that has promised so much potential until now. We are very proud to partner with emcredit and to support its vision for supporting its customers through technological innovation”.

Abdalla Al Shamsi, CEO DFP and Co-Founder ebooc said: “We are delighted to be a part of this historic partnership when Dubai launches the world’s 1st first digital currency — emcash. We also envisage consumers in Dubai being able to make real time payments using Dubai’s digital currency for all their payment needs for shopping, paying for Government fees etc. ebooc is also looking at extending its reach as an exclusive POS partner of Pundi X”.

Sunil Malhotra, Managing Director Bchain and co-founder of ebooc said, “emcredit-ebooc– Pundi X partnership will deliver a differentiated customer experience through innovative POS products and service for consumers in Dubai bringing together various service providers under one platform.”

Further details of the partnership will be announced following the development, testing and approval of the technology by government regulators later this financial year.

About emcredit

emcredit is the Dubai’s first credit bureau which launched operations as a federal corporation established by the Ministry of Finance. emcredit is a 100% subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and works with the UAE banks to provide real-time data on individuals and enterprises.

About ebooc Fintech & Loyalty Labs LLC

ebooc is the first Emirati fintech and loyalty company in Dubai and the region and aims to use emerging technologies to harness their power for the good of consumers. Ebooc provides blockchain loyalty programs, mobile digital wallets, NFC card products and a secure and seamless payment experience to clients and customers running on NexGen technology as a decentralized, distributed ledger which creates trust and improved efficiency levels.