Michael Chan

Biography

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.