Tagged: mena

June 27, 2024 @ 6:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA region’s shopping and financial services app, conducted an in-depth analysis of their shoppers’ buying habits to determine the primary uses of BNPL. The research, based on a survey of 2,500 Tabby shoppers, “revealed that the majority use BNPL for essential purchases rather… Read More

June 24, 2024 @ 9:02 am By JD Alois  |  

Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT) and Fintech Galaxy have announced a partnership to offer Open Banking services in the MENA region and the African continent. The service includes digital banking or Banking as a Service, as well as offerings for Fintechs, merchants, and more. Services include payments,… Read More

June 19, 2024 @ 8:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central bank digital currencies or CBDCs can boost Middle East’s financial inclusion, payment efficiency, according to a comprehensive update from the IMF. 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia are exploring issuing a CBDC, the IMF update noted. Almost two-thirds of countries in… Read More

June 17, 2024 @ 8:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank SAMA released the Annual Performance Report of the Saudi Finance and Real Estate Refinance Companies Sector for the year 2023. The report highlighted the sector’s developments and financials “during 2023, where the paid-up share capital for finance companies sector increased by… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 7:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has added 2 new companies to e-payment services providers, e-Money services providers and e-payment systems operators register. Continuing its efforts to encourage innovation in financial services, enhance electronic payment services and regulate these activities, ensure providing high-quality, efficient and… Read More

June 6, 2024 @ 7:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Paxos International, a UAE-based affiliate of Paxos, announced the launch of a yield-bearing stablecoin – Lift Dollar (USDL). Issued by Paxos International, “a regulated entity under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), USDL will be available to consumers in… Read More

May 30, 2024 @ 8:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Klickl is pleased to announce its recent acquisition of a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This milestone not only enhances Klickl’s ability “to offer both custody and brokerage services for virtual assets as… Read More

May 27, 2024 @ 9:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (NSE: TCS), a global enabler of IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has signed a deal to modernize the core banking technology of Burgan Bank, a commercial bank in Kuwait. The bank will deploy TCS BaNCSTM to “consolidate multiple standalone legacy… Read More

May 22, 2024 @ 10:45 am By JD Alois  |  

This past week, the California state legislature approved an Artificial Intelligence (AI) bill, SB 1047 that is being described as undermining innovation and hampering the development of the new technology. Joe Lonsdale, founder of Palantir (NYSE:PLTR) – a firm engaged in AI development, slammed the… Read More

May 18, 2024 @ 1:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Foodics, the provider of restaurant management and financial tech solutions in the MENA region, has officially inaugurated its new office in New Cairo in Egypt. This strategic expansion marks “a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing growth within the Egyptian market and emphasizes its dedication… Read More

May 17, 2024 @ 6:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD, which is one of the banking groups in the MENA and Turkey region, has partnered with Pine Labs, a merchant commerce omnichannel platform, to ensure that companies across the region have access to the latest, and best, payment solutions. As part of its… Read More

May 12, 2024 @ 7:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Nium, the global enabler of real-time cross-border payments, announced a partnership with Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENA and Türkiye region, to empower customers with a cutting-edge global payments solution that will aim to “redefine the financial services landscape in the Middle East… Read More

May 11, 2024 @ 5:27 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global Fintech platform Airwallex is in discussions with several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds as it seeks to raise capital for regional expansion, according to CEO Jack Zhang. The Melbourne-based startup has engaged with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co, and Saudi Arabia’s Public… Read More

May 9, 2024 @ 9:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Symphony – the markets infrastructure and technology platform – is expanding its global footprint by establishing a commercial office in the Middle East. The new office will be located in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial center of the UAE’s capital, “underlining Symphony’s… Read More

May 8, 2024 @ 9:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENA (and Türkiye) region, has announced Chainalysis as a key council member of the Digital Asset Lab. Chainalysis, the blockchain data platform, will “join professional services firm PwC, digital asset transfer and direct custody technology platform Fireblocks, and… Read More

May 6, 2024 @ 9:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The UAE card payments market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% between 2024 and 2028 to reach AED764.1 billion ($208.2 billion) in 2028, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company. GlobalData’s Payment Cards Analytics reveals “that card… Read More

May 6, 2024 @ 11:17 am By JD Alois  |  

A legal consultancy has published a report on the regulatory environment for Fintechs in the MENA region. While digital finance is the future of all financial services, the emergence and regulation of various services have differed worldwide.  KARM Legal Consultants has crafted a “Fintech Legal… Read More

April 28, 2024 @ 10:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

Abu Dhabi wealth fund ADQ announced the launch of the Jasoor Fund, a new technology-focused investment fund, with a capital base of $180 million The fund aims to drive digital transformation and economic growth across the region. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in the… Read More

April 26, 2024 @ 5:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the aftermath of recent severe weather conditions the UAE witnessed, global payments solution provider Checkout.com has conducted a comprehensive analysis revealing significant shifts in transaction volumes across various sectors. The data sheds light on the profound impact of adverse weather “on consumer online shopping… Read More

April 25, 2024 @ 6:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of the UAE’s capital, and Hacken, a global enabler of blockchain security auditing, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set new benchmarks for blockchain security and compliance. This partnership reflects a synergy “between a… Read More