Tagged: middle east

December 31, 2023 @ 1:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central banks will likely keep interest rates higher for longer in economies with persistently elevated core inflation (excluding food and energy prices), according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF noted that the high-interest-rate environment, which recently “triggered banking sector… Read More

December 27, 2023 @ 7:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has announced revisions to its Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Rules and Guidance (the AML Rulebook). The FSRA has made revisions that “clarify the requirements that previously appeared in the AML Rulebook, reflecting the federal regulatory framework the UAE has… Read More

December 26, 2023 @ 10:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced that Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC) has now joined the Real Time Gross Settlement System (KASSIP), “effective Sunday 24/12/2023 upon completion of automated linking and passing the technical tests.” The system would thereby “execute final settlements for financial transactions… Read More

December 21, 2023 @ 5:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA’s shopping and financial services app, has secured up to $700 million in receivables securitization from J.P. Morgan. The deal represents the largest asset-backed facility “obtained by a fintech company in the MENA region.” In parallel to the securitization financing, Tabby has “extended… Read More

December 19, 2023 @ 9:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tamara, the fintech platform to shop, pay and bank in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region, has achieved the historic milestone of becoming the Kingdom’s “first” homegrown fintech unicorn by securing $340 million in a Series C equity funding round. This investment round was… Read More

December 19, 2023 @ 7:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK economy is limping along while high interest rates and policy uncertainty take their toll on global growth, according to an update from KPMG. KPMG noted that activity has outperformed expectations, but the UK economy “remains weak and vulnerable to shocks.” Here are some… Read More

December 14, 2023 @ 9:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UAE-based legaltech Clara announced its acquisition of BOTH Corporate Services Limited (BCS), a provider of corporate services in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This deal is a key milestone for Clara as it initiates “an acquisition strategy to expand its customer base and extend its… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed a strategic agreement with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) in order to drive its technology transformation program and “further enhance its banking services to personal and business customers.” Accenture will set up “a development center of excellence (COE) to… Read More

December 1, 2023 @ 5:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global equity management company Carta announced plans to expand operations to the Middle East—citing a 180% increase in year-over-year bookings across the broader Asia Pacific region, and “launching with flagship Middle East customers including Global Ventures, BECO Capital, Cotu Ventures, and Outliers VC and Middle… Read More

December 1, 2023 @ 4:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Copper will facilitate the transition of financial market infrastructure to blockchain-based rails addressing key goals in Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision. Integration of blockchain-based services with financial infrastructure “will provide a solid foundation for the expansion of the local capital markets and attract international investors to… Read More

November 30, 2023 @ 4:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Paxos, the regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, secured the in-principle approvals (IPAs) of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for “the necessary Financial Services Permissions to issue US dollar and other currency-backed stablecoins, as well as to… Read More

November 30, 2023 @ 4:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to welcome the listing of Asia Pacific’s first ETF to “track Saudi Arabian equities – the CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF (Stock code: 2830 / 82830).” This ETF, which tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, “provides investors… Read More

November 28, 2023 @ 11:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Wahed Invest Limited, the UAE robo-advisory subsidiary of Wahed Inc., a global Shariah-compliant fintech that aims to advance financial inclusion through accessible, affordable and value-based investing, has launched after “having been granted a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 2:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Foodics, the restaurant management and payment solutions in MENA, announced its collaboration with Suplyd in Egypt, the digital supply chain management and procurement platform. This partnership offers a comprehensive supply chain management solution to restaurants in Egypt, making it easier “for restaurant owners to manage… Read More

November 14, 2023 @ 8:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced that its Dubai entity, CRO DAX Middle East FZE, has been granted a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) License “for specified virtual asset service activities by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).” Crypto.com’s VASP License is “subject to the Company fully satisfying select… 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

November 2, 2023 @ 9:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is working with HSBC Bank Middle East (HSBC) to develop digital fixed-income securities, paving the way for the introduction of a broader array of capital market use cases in the Middle East. The partnership leverages the investment product knowledge of… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 8:07 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has recently partnered with Safaghat, a crowdfunding investment platform licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, to offer alternative financing options to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs) in the country. This strategic collaboration aims to empower Bahraini enterprises, particularly those… Read More