Jordan’s Digital Transformation and UAE du Pay Wallet
Jordan has unveiled its National Digital Transformation Strategy for 2026–2028, inviting public feedback until September 6. Led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the plan focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), digital identity and secure signatures. The Sanad digital ID project aims to onboard 3.5 million residents this year, with major banks such as Arab Jordan Investment Bank and Arab Bank accepting digital IDs for financial services. Parallelly in the UAE, telecom operator du launched its ‘Salary in the Digital Wallet’ feature in the du Pay digital wallet for blue-collar workers earning under Dh5,000 per month, offering zero-balance accounts, IBANs, cross-border payments and a physical card. Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, du Pay’s digital wallet supports peer-to-peer transfers and international transactions. These digital transformation and digital wallet initiatives underscore a regional push for blockchain integration, regulatory frameworks for digital assets and broader financial inclusion.
Bullish
These digital transformation and wallet initiatives signal regulatory and infrastructural improvements in the Middle East, laying the groundwork for broader digital asset adoption. Public consultation on Jordan’s strategy and the Sanad digital ID rollout, alongside du Pay’s licensed digital wallet for blue-collar workers, mirror past scenarios where clear regulation and accessible payment solutions boosted crypto usage. In the short term, traders may see increased demand for stablecoins and payment tokens; over the long term, this ecosystem development fosters higher institutional participation and market depth, supporting a bullish outlook.