Tagged: middle east

GCC Investors Now Carefully Evaluating PE and VC Investments Strategies Due to Geopolitical Tensions : Research

Oliver Wyman indicated that geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have elevated risk assessment as a core element in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) private capital decisions. Several research reports have suggested that investors now weigh energy disruptions, maritime uncertainties, and broader volatility more heavily when… Read More

HYPE Token Surges Past Dogecoin Market Cap as Privacy focused Zcash and Monero Decline Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

Hyperliquid’s native token HYPE briefly exceeded the market capitalization of the popular meme coin Dogecoin (DOGE). This development occurred during a period of heightened volatility, where privacy-centric cryptocurrencies experienced notable declines while global markets reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East. HYPE achieved this… Read More

Iran and Oman Explore Joint Payments Framework for Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Iran has initiated conversations with Oman regarding a potential collaborative arrangement to implement a payment mechanism for ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies. This development highlights ongoing tensions, as it suggests that Washington and Tehran remain far from… Read More

Enterprise Blockchain Firm Ripple Focuses on Middle East with Expanded Presence in the UAE

Fintech firm Ripple, a key player in blockchain-enabled solutions for finance, has announced a major step forward in its regional strategy with the launch of a new headquarters for the MEA in Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC). This development underscores the company’s dedication to supporting… Read More

MENA Region Fintech Tabby Obtains Wallet License in the UAE

Tabby, a fintech company currently operating in the Middle East, has obtained a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. This regulatory approval, announced in mid-April 2026, represents a significant advancement for the firm as it broadens its… Read More

Middle East Fintech Investors Pivot to Resilient Local Infrastructure Amid Regional Turmoil : Analysis

In the Middle East, fintech investors are increasingly channeling resources into sturdy domestic infrastructure as geopolitical tensions mount. While war-related instability is clearly dampening the speed of deal-making across the region, it does not appear poised to shut off capital inflows entirely. Instead, funding is… Read More

UK Fintech Funding Declined YoY, Other Regions Experience Rebound in Overall Funding : Research

The global fintech landscape in 2025 as well as early 2026 reveals a state of contrasting developments across regions. In the United Kingdom, once a powerhouse of financial innovation, investment experienced a notable downturn. Funding for UK fintech companies dropped 21% in 2025, reaching approximately… Read More

UAE’s Wio Bank Teams Up with Fintech Pine Labs to Enhance Merchant Acquiring Infrastructure

Wio Bank, a digital banking platform based in the UAE, has entered into a strategic alliance with Pine Labs, an international fintech company specializing in payment solutions. This collaboration aims to overhaul merchant acquiring systems by introducing cloud-based technology that eliminates outdated dependencies. Announced recently… Read More

Enhanced Real Estate Services Introduced by ADGM’s Registration Authority to Support Regional Investors

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre in the UAE capital, has taken another significant step forward in supporting its real estate sector. Through its Registration Authority (RA), ADGM recently announced a new integrated suite of real estate services, building upon the comprehensive… Read More

Crypto.com, LuLuFin Partner to Enhance Digital Assets Services in Middle East

Crypto.com and LuLu Financial Holdings (LuLuFin) have announced a strategic partnership to develop regulated digital asset capabilities across multiple markets, starting in the UAE. The collab will reportedly integrate Crypto.com’s trading infrastructure, custody, and payment technologies with LuLuFin’s financial services and global network, while adhering… Read More

erad Announces $125M Facility Led by Jefferies to Support SME Financing in Middle East

erad, the Riyadh-headquartered alternative financing platform for SMEs, has partnered with Jefferies (NYSE: JEF) (with co-investment from Channel Capital) to secure $125M in a credit deal, in order to accelerate embedded finance solutions across the GCC region. After the transaction is completed, it will mark… Read More

Animoca Brands Obtains In-Principle Approval from ADGM’s FSRA

Animoca Brands announced it has received in-principle approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, the international financial center of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the UAE, to operate as a regulated Fund Manager. Currently subject to the fulfillment of conditions and… Read More

Mastercard Access Pass Launches with McLaren Formula 1 Team and First Abu Dhabi Bank

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) launched Mastercard Access Pass, a program that enables issuers and partners to deliver experiences and perks to deepen consumer connections. Debuting with the McLaren Formula 1 Team and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in the UAE, Access Pass will enable FAB cardholders… Read More

First Abu Dhabi Bank to Enable Real-Time Payments Across Middle East

Thunes, the so-called Smart Superhighway to move money across the globe, announced that First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s Global bank, and one of the world’s largest financial institutions, has reportedly selected Thunes as its provider to support international mobile wallet payouts via its… Read More

BNPL : MoneyHash and Tabby to Enhance Flexible Payment Options

MoneyHash, the payment orchestration platform in emerging and global markets, has partnered with Tabby, the Saudi Arabia–headquartered financial services app. This collab offers merchants seamless access to flexible Tabby payments across the UAE and KSA via MoneyHash’s unified API. Businesses are now able to activate… Read More

Fintech Tamara Obtains Central Bank of UAE Approval to Provide Financial Services

Tamara recently announced that it has officially received a restricted finance license from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). As a financial technology platform operating across the United Arab Emirates, Tamara claims that it has cemented its position as a key financial partner. Achieving… Read More

MENA Region Fintech Tabby Invests in NVIDIA HGX Systems to Enhance AI Infrastructure

Tabby, a financial services app, announced that it is now deploying NVIDIA HGX systems to start developing and testing its AI capabilities to serve a growing base of clients and merchants. The investment helps with establishing local AI factory infrastructure that supports tech advancements while… Read More

Crypto.com Entity Obtains In-Principle Approval for Stored Value Facilities in the UAE

Foris DAX Middle East FZ-LLC (trading as Crypto.com) announced that it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) for a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license, claiming it becomes the “first” Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the… Read More

Digital Identity : Saudi Arabia’s SAMA Approves “Visitor ID” for Opening Bank Accounts

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced the approval of using the “Visitor ID” for opening bank accounts at banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in “accordance with banks’ account opening rules.” The “Visitor ID,” issued by the Ministry of Interior, “serves as an official… Read More

Fintech Airwallex Focuses on Middle East Expansion with Key Regulatory Milestones

In a move signaling its commitment to the burgeoning Middle East market, Airwallex, the Melbourne-headquartered global financial platform, has unveiled updates designed to enhanc its regional footprint. The announcement from Fintech Airwallex encompasses pivotal regulatory approvals, foundational infrastructure setups, and high-impact partnerships. These developments come… Read More

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