The ritual of writing a stack of post-dated cheques for a new apartment could soon be history. A crypto executive predicts renters might pay landlords in stablecoins within six to nine months.
Bobby Zhou, co-founder of Aqua Labs Investment, addressed the region's long-standing rent cheque problem at the Stablecoin and Digital Asset Innovation Forum 2026 held at Abu Dhabi Global Market. He argues the missing piece is not technology but coordination. "All the tools are there," Zhou said, noting that developers, agents, and management companies must "assemble a team and then assemble the tools" to make it work.
Zhou, also a founding partner of the Web3-focused Aqua1 Foundation, emphasized this shift will arrive sooner than most expect. "We're not talking about 2028; we're talking about 2026," he stated, adding that with the right institutions aligned, the timeline is short.
Beyond real estate, Zhou highlighted commodities trading as a sector where stablecoin settlement has already reached a tipping point. He called the shift from multi-day Swift transfers to near-instant blockchain settlement a "no-brainer," noting the move from fees as high as $25 to just a few cents makes a straightforward case for adoption.
The forum also saw Safeheron, a global provider of digital asset self-custody infrastructure, and UPay.com sign a preliminary agreement. Owen Yang, chief executive of UPay, explained the deal links institutional-grade wallet security with everyday spending tools.
Yang noted the agreement allows Safeheron's wallet clients to tap into UPay's card and settlement network. He described a future where cardholders move seamlessly between digital assets and daily spending. "You can spend everywhere, and you can do the ATM withdrawal, and you can do the on-ramp, off-ramp easily," he said, listing support for Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and other stablecoins.
While direct bank transfers from crypto balances are live in Europe and Hong Kong, UPay is still awaiting a licence from regulators to launch this feature in the UAE. The market is already primed for the shift, as stablecoins currently account for 62 per cent of crypto transactions in the country this year, significantly outpacing Bitcoin and Ether.
Frequently asked questions
When could renters in the UAE start paying rent with stablecoins?
According to crypto executive Bobby Zhou, renters may be able to pay landlords in stablecoins within six to nine months, aiming for adoption by late 2026.
Who said stablecoins could replace post‑dated rent cheques in the UAE?
Bobby Zhou, co‑founder of Aqua Labs Investment and founding partner of the Aqua1 Foundation, made the prediction at the Stablecoin and Digital Asset Innovation Forum 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
What share of crypto transactions in the UAE are stablecoins this year?
Stablecoins account for about 62 percent of all crypto transactions in the United Arab Emirates so far in 2026.
Which firms are working together to bring everyday spending tools for stablecoins in the UAE?
Safeheron, a digital‑asset self‑custody provider, and UPay.com have signed a preliminary agreement to link institutional‑grade wallet security with card and settlement services for stablecoins.
How much cheaper could stablecoin rent payments be compared with traditional methods?
Zhou notes that settlement fees could drop from around $25 per transaction to just a few cents, making stablecoin payments a clear cost advantage over multi‑day Swift transfers and cheque processing.
What is the main obstacle to using stablecoins for rent payments in the UAE?
Zhou says the missing piece is coordination – developers, agents and management companies need to assemble a team and the existing tools to make the system work, rather than a lack of technology.
