Digit9, the cross-border payments platform of LuLu Financial Holdings, has secured the 11th position in Forbes Middle East's Fintech 50 list for 2026, making its debut among the region's leading financial technology companies.
The Abu Dhabi-headquartered platform, founded by Adeeb Ahamed from Kerala, processed more than $20 billion in cross-border payments through over 18 million transactions in 2025, according to Forbes Middle East. The company serves around 1.5 million customers every month.
The recognition comes as financial institutions increasingly turn to digital platforms to simplify international payments, reduce transaction costs and improve settlement speeds.
Digit9 provides a technology platform that enables banks, remittance companies, fintech firms and payment service providers to connect with international payment networks through a single application programming interface (API).
The system brings together banking networks, payment channels, transaction routing and settlement services, reducing the need for financial institutions to manage multiple integrations across different markets.
According to the company, the platform supports payments to bank accounts and digital wallets in more than 170 countries and connects partners with over 200 banks and major global money transfer operators.
Its services also include Remittance-as-a-Service (RaaS), embedded payment solutions and multi-currency treasury management.
Digit9 supports conventional currency settlement alongside approved stablecoin-based settlement channels for institutional partners, where permitted by regulations.
Adeeb Ahamed, managing director of LuLu Financial Holdings, said: "We are proud to see Digit9 recognised among the region's fintech trailblazers by Forbes Middle East. This recognition belongs to every member of the Digit9 team who has put their heart into building the platform, as well as the institutions and partners across the world who have placed their trust in us."
Ahamed said Digit9 was helping businesses and individuals transfer money internationally with greater speed, security, transparency and predictability.
The company's long-term ambition, he added, is to become a preferred infrastructure platform for global money movement.
Digit9 is now working towards building a more interconnected global payments network that would allow regulated financial institutions to access different payment and settlement channels through a single integration.
The proposed network would connect conventional banking systems, digital wallets, cash payout networks and approved digital settlement technologies.
Digit9 operates as a platform of LuLu Money Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of LuLu Financial Holdings.
