Tagged: middle east

January 12, 2025 @ 7:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SC Lowy has reportedly decided to accelerate its pivot towards private credit, an area “rich” with various opportunities in Asia and the Middle East, that will pave the way for the “gradual” wind down of its open-ended liquid Primary Investments Fund (PI). Initially launched as… Read More

January 7, 2025 @ 8:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global payment solutions provider Checkout.com has entered a partnership with noqodi, a payment gateway and financial service provider, to elevate the payment experience for businesses and consumers in the UAE. As part of the collab, Checkout.com will integrate its payment tech with noqodi’s digital platform,… Read More

January 2, 2025 @ 8:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licensed “Hiberbay Ink Al-Saoudia for IT Systems” to provide E-wallet solutions. With “Hiberbay Ink Al-Saoudia for IT Systems,” there are now 27 licensed firms providng payments services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This decision reflects SAMA’s aim to support… Read More

December 31, 2024 @ 4:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has announced a partnership with Dgpays, a financial technology provider, to advance the adoption of digital payment solutions for consumers and businesses across the EEMEA region. As part of the partnership, Mastercard and Dgpays will co-develop payment technologies and loyalty solutions tailored… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 8:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitpanda recently revealed that it will soon be able to offer their full range of products and services to users residing in the UAE, supported by their commitment to regulation in Europe and, as they expand, into the MENA region and other jurisdictions. The expansion… Read More

December 11, 2024 @ 5:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Alpaca noted that it is cementing its self-clearing foundation through its DTCC membership and product launches, including Options Trading and High Yield Cash Accounts. Alpaca, a brokerage infrastructure tech firm and self-clearing broker-dealer, delivering execution and custody solutions for Stocks, ETFs, and Options, that support… Read More

November 4, 2024 @ 10:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to announce that it plans to open an office in Riyadh in 2025. The office will now aim to strengthen HKEX’s Middle East presence as the Group looks to promote connectivity between China and the Gulf… Read More

October 15, 2024 @ 9:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence (DFI) team has released a report that is shedding light on the most pervasive cyberthreats facing organizations in the Middle East. The Kaspersky cybersecurity team has recently delved “deep into the dark web” – exploring everything from cybercriminal forums to shadow… Read More

October 10, 2024 @ 10:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Elliptic, the enabler of sophisticated blockchain analytics and digital asset risk management, has announced the launch of its regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a key milestone in its international expansion efforts. Elliptic is pleased to welcome Zahi Yaari as its new… Read More

September 19, 2024 @ 9:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mesh, the modern connectivity layer for crypto that makes transfers and account aggregation seamless, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with CoinMENA FZE, a digital assets trading platform in the Middle East. This collaboration aims to enhance digital asset transfer services by “allowing CoinMENA’s… Read More

September 2, 2024 @ 1:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In line with the Third Financial Sector Strategy issued by Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) have announced the launch of the QFC Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive and innovative regime for the creation and… Read More

August 20, 2024 @ 2:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitpanda are pleased to announce that The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) has become the first bank in the UAE to partner with Bitpanda Technology Solutions to unlock digital assets. RAKBANK is one of the major banks in the UAE, and one of the… Read More

August 15, 2024 @ 6:19 am By Omar Faridi  |  

ADGM, the international financial centre (IFC) of the UAE’s capital, continues its growth trajectory, reporting solid performance in the first half of 2024. As the fastest-growing financial centre and the only jurisdiction with the direct application of the English Common Law in the region, ADGM’s… Read More

August 14, 2024 @ 8:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether Operations Limited, which claims to be one of the largest companies in the digital asset industry, is announcing a $3 million strategic investment in the Kem app, a platform designed for money transfers and financial management. This collaboration will see Kem App “introduce USD₮… Read More

July 30, 2024 @ 10:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Network International, the enabler of digital commerce, and Biz2X, a global technology and financing fintech in the U.S., India and Australia with over $10 billion USD funded through its digital lending platform, today announced a new SME financing partnership. The primary objective of the partnership… Read More

July 3, 2024 @ 8:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

AXA IM Alts, a global firm focused on alternative investments with $200 billion (€184 billion) of assets under management, has expanded its global network with the opening of its first office in the Middle East. AXA IM Alts has been granted its financial services permission… 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

May 15, 2024 @ 1:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockdaemon officially announces expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a new office and corporate entity established in Abu Dhabi under the Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). With this expansion, Blockdaemon will now “offer institutional-grade node and validator infrastructure solutions, and… 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 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