Lianlian Secures DFSA License to Expand Cross-Border Payments from DIFC
Chinese digital payment provider Lianlian DigiTech has obtained a payment services license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), marking a significant step in its expansion strategy in the Middle East. The approval supports the company’s move toward establishing a licensed regional headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where it will offer regulated payment and settlement services.
The licensing milestone signals a shift in Lianlian’s regional approach, moving beyond market entry toward building a more formalized and regulated presence in Dubai. Through this base, the company aims to strengthen its role in facilitating cross-border fund flows across the Middle East and into international markets.
According to the company, it will work with local banks to deliver tailored payment services designed to support seamless transactions across the region. Lianlian also plans to refine its transaction framework to provide stable cross-border financial connectivity for businesses expanding into or out of the Middle East.
Emily Zhou, General Manager for UAE at Lianlian, said the DFSA license represents an important step in advancing the company’s global localisation strategy. She added that Lianlian intends to deepen its cooperation with local financial institutions to help build a resilient regional payment network.
Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said Lianlian’s experience in cross-border transactions will support businesses that depend on efficient and compliant settlement infrastructure.
Lianlian said it currently holds 68 payment licenses globally and operates its payment network in more than 100 countries. The company also recently announced plans to develop an AI-driven global financial infrastructure model, aligning with DIFC’s ambition to become an AI-native financial centre.
Industry Analysis
Lianlian’s DFSA license highlights Dubai’s continued role as a strategic hub for international payments and financial services firms seeking regulated access to the Middle East. By establishing a licensed presence in DIFC, the company positions itself to serve enterprise clients that require compliant and reliable cross-border payment solutions.
The move may also reflect a broader trend among global fintech providers to localize operations in key financial centres in order to deepen partnerships with domestic banks and improve service delivery across multiple jurisdictions. For the wider payments industry, such developments point to growing demand for infrastructure that can support faster, more secure, and more scalable cross-border transactions.
With its regulatory approval in place, Lianlian appears set to expand its regional footprint while aligning its international payment capabilities with the compliance and infrastructure standards expected in the UAE market.
