Tagged: middle east

October 13, 2025 @ 3:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

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

September 29, 2025 @ 8:49 am By Omar Faridi  |  

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

September 28, 2025 @ 12:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

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

September 28, 2025 @ 3:16 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Blue Owl Capital Inc.  have announced a partnership agreement. This collab establishes a digital infrastructure platform aimed at addressing the explosive demand for compute power driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence advancements. With initial assets exceeding $3 billion,… Read More

September 18, 2025 @ 10:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has made announcements that underscore a commitment to robust data protection and innovative financing for regional challenges. On one front, ADGM has introduced new rules aim to enhance privacy safeguards under its Data Protection Regulations 2021. On another, a strategic… Read More

September 18, 2025 @ 2:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a boost to Saudi Arabia’s digital payments ecosystem, global payments intelligence company Thunes has announced key developments: a live partnership with mobile wallet provider barq and an expansion of its real-time cross-border payment capabilities directly into the Kingdom. These moves, aligning seamlessly with Saudi… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 8:00 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Standard Chartered‘s innovation arm, SC Ventures, is gearing up to launch a substantial $250 million investment vehicle dedicated to digital assets within financial services. According to reports from Bloomberg, the initiative aims to attract commitments from investors, particularly those in the Middle East, with the… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 9:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital bank Revolut is making significant strides in its global expansion strategy, with recent developments underscoring its focus on reshaping digital finance and online investing. From securing regulatory approvals in the Middle East to attracting new talent from the cryptocurrency sector and seeing early investors… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 11:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adams Street Partners, LLC, a Chicago-based firm specializing private markets investment management, has officially unveiled its first office in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With (a reported0 over $62 billion in assets under management (AUM), Adams Street’s entry into Abu Dhabi underscores the firm’s… Read More

August 15, 2025 @ 7:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tuum, the core banking provider, has been selected by Oliver Business Development (OBD) Holding to power its newly licensed e-banking services in the MEA region called Uptex Bank. The partnership marks Tuum’s first customer in the Middle East and reinforces its strategy to “support financial… Read More

July 21, 2025 @ 10:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Around 60% of sovereign wealth funds based in the Middle East intend to increase their allocations to Chinese assets over the next five years, according to the latest global sovereign asset management study conducted by Invesco. The remaining 40% of respondents from the region plan… Read More

July 16, 2025 @ 11:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

IsraJets, a boutique private aviation company operating in the United States, Israel and Cyprus, has partnered with Airwallex, a global payments and financial platform for growing businesses. Through the partnership, IsraJets has adopted Airwallex’s financial infrastructure to “improve the speed and efficiency of its global… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 8:19 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

YouHodler executives share their thoughts on how industry and geopolitical factors have influenced crypto prices of late. Middle East tensions “As tensions rose across the Middle East, investors rapidly pulled back, reducing risk by selling off digital assets. According to on-chain tracking data, more than… Read More

June 19, 2025 @ 8:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Steffen Meister, Executive Chairman of the Board, Partners Group, comments: “Abu Dhabi is increasingly becoming… Read More

June 10, 2025 @ 10:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Authority (FSRA) of ADGM announced the implementation of amendments to its regulatory framework for digital assets, with immediate effect. The implementation of these amendments follows “extensive industry engagement and feedback received on Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2024.” As stated in the… Read More

May 28, 2025 @ 8:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Carta, the software platform purpose-built for private capital, announced its Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM’s Financial Services Authority (FSRA), unlocking a new phase of growth in the MENA region. This milestone advances Carta’s global mission “to make private markets more accessible, transparent, and equitable.”… Read More

May 27, 2025 @ 9:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Careem Pay, the fintech arm of the Careem Everything App, has introduced a new international money transfer service to Jordan. This addition to Careem Pay’s remittance network enables users to send money directly from the UAE to Jordanian bank accounts, catering to the needs of… Read More

May 19, 2025 @ 7:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple, the provider of digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions,  announced new clients in the UAE utilizing Ripple Payments. Ripple Payments employs blockchain, digital assets, and a global network of payout partners to “deliver reliable cross-border payments and on/off ramps for banks, crypto companies, and… Read More

May 18, 2025 @ 10:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai Finance (DOF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, a global cryptocurrency trading platform, to facilitate government service fee payments using cryptocurrencies—marking a pioneering milestone in digital finance on a global scale. The agreement was formalized by Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director… Read More

May 13, 2025 @ 11:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hidden Road announced that its ADGM entity, Hidden Road Partners CIV (AD) Limited, received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to operate as a regulated financial services firm. Pending final regulatory approval, Hidden Road will be “authorized to offer… Read More