Michael Chan

At Zand, we don’t just chase innovation—we build legacies. This nomination isn’t about one leader; it’s a celebration of collective ambition—of a team, partners, and a nation aligned to co-create the UAE as one of the world’s leading innovation hubs.

1/ Accelerating the UAE’s Digital Economy: Attracting Global Players to Co-Create a Leading Innovation Hub

We rolled up our sleeves with purpose:

• Launched the UAE’s first self-owned, locally hosted digital asset custodian—teaming up with regulators and global experts to create a secure foundation for blockchain’s future.
• Launching soon, the AED-backed stablecoin on public blockchain —a sovereign-aligned breakthrough slashing cross-border friction for businesses and fueling the UAE’s digital currency leadership.
• Solved critical pain points for digital assets and fintechs—building a seamless TradFi-DeFi ecosystem that drives efficiency, inclusivity, and trust, while reinforcing the UAE as a global blockchain hub.

2/ Zand’s Agile Revolution: Speed Meets Substance

We rewrote the rules of traditional banking with innovation and AI:

• Hit breakeven in 22 months with 2.4x revenue growth—proving fast scaling doesn’t mean cutting corners.
• Migrated core systems in <100 days (faster than fintech rivals!) by empowering teams to act like owners, not just players.
• Fused Silicon Valley speed with banking excellence—Zand’s agile DNA proves tradition and disruption can coexist.

The collective efforts and strategic initiatives of our team have positioned Zand as a trailblazer in the banking and fintech space, committed to innovation and excellence in serving our clients.

The future of finance is built by ecosystems, not individuals.