Tagged: mena region

November 12, 2023 @ 12:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

MNT-Halan has reportedly closed a $130 million securitization. As Egypt’s “first” unicorn and “fastest-growing” fintech, they’ve now “raised over US$ 400m in 2023, and target US$ 550 by the year’s end.” MNT-Halan has closed five tranches of securitized bond issuances “through its microfinance and consumer… Read More

November 10, 2023 @ 5:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Copper, an institutional digital asset infrastructure provider, has acquired Securrency Capital Limited, a full-service, regulated blockchain-enabled brokerage firm offering digital securities trading based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Securrency Capital’s platform, “powered by Securrency’s digital asset infrastructure and compliance aware solutions, provides investors… Read More

November 8, 2023 @ 4:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation, fintech investment and ventures arm, is partnering with SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial conglomerate, to establish a Digital Asset Joint Venture investment company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The parties say that they intend “to capitalize the vehicle with… Read More

November 7, 2023 @ 9:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Liv, UAE’s digital bank launched by Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENAT region, has launched a new digital offering. Till the end of 2023, eligible Liv customers can benefit from instant personal loans without any fees via the Liv app. The digital bank… Read More

November 5, 2023 @ 5:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA region’s shopping and financial services app, has raised $200 million in equity financing led by Wellington Management, which claims to be one of the world’s major independent investment management firms. The equity financing drew additional participation “from growth equity investor Bluepool Capital,… Read More

October 22, 2023 @ 12:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) signed a cooperation agreement with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in Riyadh, in the field of Fintech and innovation. The agreement was signed by Ayman Al-Sayari, Governor of SAMA, and Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of… Read More

October 22, 2023 @ 11:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a global firm focused n mission-critical, real-time payment solutions,  announced that Nymcard, a card issuer in the MENA region, has enhanced its fraud platform with ACI Fraud Management in order “to better protect its customers from the growing threat of financial… Read More

October 15, 2023 @ 11:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued its semi-annual performance report of the finance companies sector and real estate refinance for H1 2023. According to the report, most of the indicators in the finance companies sector “grew at varying rates in H1 2023.” The paid-up share… Read More

October 12, 2023 @ 10:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has taken a significant step towards modernizing the financial services landscape in the Kingdom by unveiling comprehensive guidelines for Open Finance services. These guidelines apply to all banks operating “within the jurisdiction of CBJ, as well as online payment… Read More

October 11, 2023 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UnaFinancial, a Singapore-headquartered Fintech group (previously known as Robocash), has teamed up with Velexa, a UK-based wealthtech firm, in order to introduce a digital investing platform in the UAE. UnaFinancial and Velexa revealed that the collaboration aims to leverage Velexa’s expertise in investment tech and… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 9:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tarabut, MENA’s leading open banking platform, has announced a new partnership with FLOOSS, a Bahrain-based digital lending platform. FLOOSS is reportedly the “first” and fastest digital loan app in Bahrain “offering consumer loans of up to BHD 750 with a repayment period of up to… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 7:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial center in the MENA and Southeast Asia region, has proposed to enact a Digital Assets Law, a Law of Security and related amendments to select existing legislation “to cater to the requirements of the DIFC’s proposed digital… Read More

September 27, 2023 @ 11:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The MENA region reportedly has the sixth largest crypto economy of any region studied this year, “with an estimated $389.8 billion in on-chain value received between July 2022 and June 2023,” according to an update from Chainalysis. Chainalysis also mentioned that this “represents nearly 7.2%… Read More

September 21, 2023 @ 3:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ebury, a global financial solutions provider, is pleased to announce its partnership with 360tf, one of the pioneers of trade finance facilities in the UAE region. This collaboration will aim to improve how 360tf’s clients “access international trade solutions, providing seamless and direct access to… Read More

September 19, 2023 @ 6:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licensed “Al-tizam for electronic insurance brokerage” and “Altheqa Insurance Brokers” in order to “provide insurance aggregation services (soft launch).” With Al-tizam and Altheqa, there will “be five authorized insurance aggregation companies operating in Saudi Arabia.” This decision reflects SAMA‘s endeavor… Read More

September 17, 2023 @ 2:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

On the occasion of its 3rd anniversary in the Egyptian market, Foodics in Egypt, the restaurant management solutions provider that’s based in the Middle East, conducted a comprehensive review of its future business strategy, business volume, and the services extended to its partners in the… Read More

September 15, 2023 @ 11:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Philcoin, the blockchain platform dedicated to philanthropy, announces its collaboration with the Repton Family of Schools in the UAE. This partnership, part of Excella‘s esteemed network of high-performing K-12 institutions, promises to “turn student achievements into tools for fostering philanthropy through cryptocurrency tokens.” As the… Read More

September 14, 2023 @ 8:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance collaborate “to spur skill development in the regional financial sector” Described as a “first-of-its-kind” collaboration, Mastercard and the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance will aim to “initiate a renewed understanding of the latest industry… Read More

September 9, 2023 @ 12:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central Asian fintech Alif makes its mark in the UAE with Alif Pay, providing financial services and global remittance for UAE residents. Digital transformation professional Shafique Ibrahim takes on the role as Alif Pay’s CEO, spearheading the launch and “reinforcing the platform’s innovative approach to financial… Read More

September 7, 2023 @ 10:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Fintech Saudi have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding during Seamless Saudi Arabia 2023 “to advance the growth and development of the Saudi Arabia fintech industry.” The announcement marks another step “towards powering an inclusive digital economy and advancing… Read More