April 2, 2019 @ 12:00 am By JD Alois  |  

The Future Blockchain Summit is the world’s largest blockchain festival. It brings to the forefront government visionaries, blockchain revolutionists, startups, investors and the brightest disruptors to marry business sense with opportunity and set the global blockchain agenda. The event that will be held from 2… Read More

March 4, 2019 @ 3:51 am By JD Alois  |  

Beehive, a peer to peer lending platform servicing SMEs in the MENA region, has closed on $4 million Series B funding round, according to a release from the platform. This most recent funding brings the Fintech’s total raised to $15.5 million since platform launch. The… Read More

February 24, 2019 @ 12:22 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Emaar Properties, the company that developed the United Arab Emirati’s (UAE’s) iconic Burj Khalifa tower, the tallest in the world, has denied rumours that it plans to accept cryptocurrency payments in real estate deals. According to a company spokesperson speaking to Bloomberg: “Emaar does not… Read More

January 7, 2019 @ 3:09 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) announced on Monday it has accepted seven new firms into its cohort process, which permits companies to apply for an Innovation Testing Licence (ITL). According to DFSA, the ITL forms part of the DFSA’s commitment to support innovation and… Read More

December 19, 2018 @ 2:57 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Singapore-headquartered Locus Chain Foundation, the developers of a next-generation blockchain protocol, announced on Wednesday it will launch an innovative digital asset exchange platform, Locus DAX in Dubai, during the first quarter of 2019. According to Locus Chain Foundation, Locus DAX will allow users to buy, sell… Read More

December 18, 2018 @ 3:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has initiated a consultation on property crowdfunding. Released last week, the consultation addresses a proposal to add a new subcategory for property investment crowdfunding platforms. The DFSA notes that like many financial services, crowdfunding has evolved. Originally designed to… Read More

December 18, 2018 @ 8:22 am By JD Alois  |  

FundedByMe has been granted regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer investment crowdfunding in Dubai. An in-principle license has been granted conditional to completing the setup of the local entity. Operations will commence early in 2019. FundedByMe states that it will become… Read More

November 4, 2018 @ 2:33 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Ripple has reportedly announced it is set to open a new office in Dubai by the end of 2018. According to CCN, the company’s Global Infrastructure Innovation Head, Dilip Rao, indicated at the 2018 Global Islamic Economic Summit that it will be focused on cross-border payments… Read More

October 31, 2018 @ 11:26 pm By JD Alois  |  

An actively managed cryptocurrency solution has been launched by deVere Group. The company has founded the deVere Digital Asset Funds, a suite of digital currency solutions for experienced investors, in association with Dalma Capital Management Limited, a hedge fund manager in the Dubai International Financial Centre…. Read More

October 30, 2018 @ 8:32 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Startupbootcamp announced on Tuesday it has launched its FinTech Accelerator program in Dubai in order to support the city in its bid to become what it claims to be a world leader in financial services innovation and technology. The accelerator program organizer revealed that over the… Read More

October 8, 2018 @ 8:02 am By JD Alois  |  

Dubai will enable residents the ability to may digital payments using blockchain tech in a new partnership with Pundi X, Ebooc Fintech & Loyalty Labs LLC. XPOS devices that facilitate transactions are expected be rolled out at shopfronts in region  with provisions for an increase in coming… Read More

September 18, 2018 @ 5:33 pm By Cali Haan  |  

Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, the Assistant-Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Dubai Police, told attendees at a relevant forum in Dubai this weekend that a lack of awareness around possible criminal uses of cryptocurrencies in the UAE is putting citizens at risk,… Read More

August 29, 2018 @ 10:05 am By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) have strengthened their pre-existing Fintech relationship with a new agreement. According to MAS, this most recent collaboration will see mutual referrals of promising Fintech firms between the two jurisdictions.  The agreement is… Read More

August 9, 2018 @ 10:39 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Coinaphoto, a Dublin /Dubai-based photography marketplace, has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, seeking £500,000 in funding for growth and expansion of its platform. Founded in 2015, Coinaphoto explained it has built a global community of over 200,000 contributors and features 55 million images. The rewards-based… Read More

July 12, 2018 @ 12:00 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

FinTech Hive at DIFC, a fintech accelerator that was established by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced on Wednesday that more than 300 applications were submitted for the program’s 2018 edition. The accelerator began accepting application in May. As previously reported, FinTech Hive was… Read More

June 19, 2018 @ 1:14 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced on Tuesday it has formed a new partnership with Startupbootcamp to support the development of the growing fintech and venture capital ecosystem in the Centre as well as promote entrepreneurship in the region. According to the organization, this partnership… Read More

May 21, 2018 @ 2:50 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

FinTech Hive at DIFC, a fintech accelerator that was established by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced over the weekend that it is now accepting applications for its 2018 program, kicking off a competitive search for the top fintech and insurtech innovators in the region…. Read More

May 16, 2018 @ 1:22 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

India-based banking group Emirates NBD announced on Wednesday it has joined forces with fintech platform CCRManager to further strengthen trade finance capabilities. According to the bank, the partnership announcement aligns with its digital strategy as it seeks to lead innovation in digital banking in the… Read More

May 16, 2018 @ 12:02 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) announced on Wednesday the expansion of its Innovation Testing Licence (ITL) programme in response to continued interest in fintech and the digital economy. According to DFSA, the ITL program enables firms to test innovations in fintech in or from the… Read More

May 3, 2018 @ 9:43 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

On Tuesday, the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) unveiled a joint blockchain project that was developed in collaboration with Smart Dubai and IBM to improve ease of doing business in Dubai and facilitate foreign direct investments. According… Read More