Emirates NBD Welcomes Chainlink as Council Member to Digital Asset Lab
Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT region, has officially welcomed Chainlink, the standard for onchain finance, as the fifth council member of its Digital Asset Lab. This strategic collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, adding Chainlink to a roster of prominent members, including PwC, Fireblocks, R3, and Chainalysis.
Pioneering Innovation in Digital Finance
Chainlink's inclusion bolsters the Digital Asset Lab’s mission of advancing innovative financial solutions using digital assets. Renowned for its role in enabling over USD 17 trillion in blockchain transaction value, Chainlink offers expertise in liquidity unification, verifiable data, and cross-chain interoperability, vital for next-generation financial applications.
Miguel Rio Tinto, Group Chief Digital and Information Officer at Emirates NBD, stated:
“We are proud to partner with Chainlink and welcome them to Emirates NBD’s Digital Asset Lab as a council member. This collaboration underscores our commitment to driving innovation and creating cutting-edge solutions for tokenisation and digital asset management.”
Expanding Opportunities in Digital Assets
With the digital asset market valued at over USD 1.3 trillion globally and tokenisation alone contributing an estimated USD 230 billion annually to the MENA region's GDP, this partnership aligns with Emirates NBD’s strategy to scale digital finance innovations.
Angie Walker, Global Head of Banking and Capital Markets at Chainlink Labs, highlighted:
“Tokenisation and digital assets represent a hundred-trillion-dollar opportunity for financial institutions globally. We are thrilled to join Emirates NBD’s Digital Asset Lab to support the development of groundbreaking onchain financial applications.”
A Proven Track Record in Blockchain and Virtual Assets
Since its launch at the Dubai FinTech Summit in 2023, Emirates NBD’s Digital Asset Lab has spearheaded initiatives, including:
- Blockchain-based authentication of cheques.
- A digital trade finance platform.
- The digital dirham project in collaboration with the UAE Central Bank.
The Lab has also developed retail banking solutions incorporating crypto products, tokenised real-world assets for Emirates NBD Capital, and stablecoin applications.
Commitment to Future Innovation
The recent launch of the Future Leaders Outreach Program integrates academia into the Lab’s ecosystem, fostering talent development and encouraging future leadership in digital finance.
Through its Digital Asset Lab, Emirates NBD continues to cement its position as a leader in financial innovation, driving transformative advancements in the blockchain and digital asset landscape.
