The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has officially rolled out Jaywan, the country's first domestic payment card network, marking a significant milestone in its digital payments strategy. Banks, financial institutions, and licensed exchange houses have begun issuing Jaywan cards in phases, allowing consumers to use them for everyday transactions across the UAE. The initiative is designed to create a locally managed payment infrastructure while supporting the country's broader vision of becoming a global hub for financial innovation.
The launch reflects a growing global trend in which countries are investing in sovereign payment systems to strengthen financial resilience and reduce dependence on international card networks.
Jaywan cards will be accepted at POS terminals, ATMs, e-commerce sites, and mobile wallets nationwide. Jaywan cards will enable customers to make contactless payments, make online purchases, withdraw money, and make domestic and international payments under approved regulatory mechanisms. The banks will roll out the cards gradually within the next few months.
Jaywan has been launched by Al Etihad Payments, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Jaywan comes in debit and prepaid varieties, and credit card versions are due soon, depending upon market demand. Customers can also benefit from loyalty rewards and merchant offers across the travel, hospitality, retail, and lifestyle sectors.
The officials said the main aim was to provide a secure payment solution aligned with the UAE’s future plans.
The launch not only concerns the introduction of another payment card but is also related to the UAE’s attempts to achieve better control over the financial infrastructure by ensuring that transactions are done via the national payment system. There are some examples of such cards that operate effectively in India, China, and Brazil, and help to reduce the cost of transactions and foster innovations.
Jaywan will contribute to better efficiency of payments, speed up transactions, and ensure cybersecurity due to an expansion of local payment capabilities. However, the launch will be complemented by establishing partnerships with foreign networks so that card users can make cross-border payments.
H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE, said the launch reflects the country's commitment to building a more efficient, resilient and competitive financial sector while supporting innovation, financial inclusion and digital transformation.
Although Jaywan is introduced as an alternative payment method, its future importance may lie in the emergence of a broader ecosystem in which it serves as a foundation. With more domestic transactions, banks will be able to obtain more information about customer behavior, leading to better fraud detection methods and the creation of personalized banking products.
Moreover, the implementation of a national card scheme in the UAE means there is now room for local fintechs to develop solutions and applications specifically for their market, rather than only for the global market.
Also Read: Biggest Banks in UAE Ranked by Assets (2026)
The launch of Jaywan represents the UAE's ongoing efforts to develop and upgrade its financial system through modernization. With digital payments becoming the preferred method for individuals and businesses, the new system is expected to advance financial inclusion, enable efficient payments, and serve as another milestone in positioning the UAE as a leader in digital finance.
Despite the important role of international payment networks, Jaywan provides the UAE with its own payment system aligned with its overall digital economy plans. As its issuance accelerates in the coming months, Jaywan will be observed as a case study on how the national payment infrastructure could be used for the economic and financial benefits of the country in the digital age.