FAB and Mastercard launch a contactless payment ring in the UAE, combining wearable fitness technology with secure tokenized digital payments.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has launched a contactless payment ring in the UAE, partnering with Mastercard, Tappy Technologies, and Thales to combine wearable fitness technology with secure digital payments.
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The ring enables users to make contactless payments with a tap of the hand, without the need for a smartphone or physical wallet. Customers can link their FAB and Mastercard debit or credit cards to the device and use it anywhere contactless payments are accepted.
The product uses card tokenization, replacing sensitive card details with secure digital tokens stored on a miniaturized chip supplied by Thales. This approach ensures that payment credentials are not exposed during transactions, aligning with global security standards for contactless payments.
Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the UAE, said the launch highlights the role of collaboration in transforming advanced technologies into everyday consumer solutions. He added that Thales remains focused on supporting secure digital ecosystems that contribute to the UAE’s broader vision for a knowledge-based economy.
Tappy Technologies, which specializes in wearable payment solutions, provided the underlying technology to embed payment capabilities into the compact form factor. Suboor Ahmed, co-founder and chief operating officer of Tappy Technologies, described the launch as a milestone for wearable payments, citing the combined efforts of FAB and Mastercard, Thales, and Tappy in bringing the product to market.
The payment ring is available in multiple sizes and colors and can be purchased through FAB’s online and retail banking channels. A companion mobile application provides users with fitness-related insights and software updates, integrating health tracking with everyday payment functionality.
The launch reflects growing experimentation in the UAE with alternative payment form factors, as banks and fintech partners seek to embed financial services more seamlessly into daily life. While adoption will depend on consumer trust and comfort with wearable payments, the initiative underscores the region’s appetite for innovation at the intersection of finance, lifestyle, and technology.
Why FAB and Mastercard Collaboration Matters to MENA
Wearable payments remain an emerging segment globally, but the UAE’s high contactless adoption and digital-first consumers make it a key test market. FAB and Mastercard payment ring shows how banks and fintechs in MENA are moving beyond cards and phones, embedding payments into lifestyle devices and pushing the next phase of everyday digital banking.
