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On July 20, 2026, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) inaugurated Jaywan, the UAE's first national card scheme. H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the CBUAE, formally launched the scheme and announced the commencement of nationwide card issuance by banks, licensed financial institutions (LFIs), and exchange houses. Jaywan represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the UAE's financial sovereignty and developing an advanced national payments ecosystem. The card scheme is accepted at point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce platforms, automated teller machines (ATMs), and digital wallets, enabling contactless payments, online purchases, cash withdrawals, and both domestic and international payment transactions. Banks and LFIs have commenced issuing Jaywan cards in phases over the coming months across all card categories. Cardholders will benefit from a comprehensive rewards and offers programme delivered in collaboration with strategic partners across travel, retail, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. The CBUAE said the inauguration demonstrates the financial sector's ability to translate strategic visions into advanced national solutions, aligning with the objectives of the "We the UAE 2031" vision while advancing innovative digital payments. The scheme supports the country's digital transformation journey and reinforces the UAE's position as a leading global financial hub by promoting financial inclusion and unlocking broader opportunities for innovation. The development reflects the close partnership between the CBUAE and the financial sector in delivering enhanced payment infrastructure and improved efficiency across the national payments ecosystem.