Tagged: middle east

May 18, 2020 @ 11:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Fintech sector will get stronger due to the COVID-19 outbreak, as more consumers begin using digital payments platforms and also as more people start working remotely, according to a new report from the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). The report noted: “This sector will successfully… Read More

May 18, 2020 @ 11:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Payments giant Mastercard (NYSE:MA) has committed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hub71, a technology ecosystem based in Abu Dhabi Global Market Square that supports global Fintech initiatives and leading tech firms. As mentioned in the announcement, Hub71 is a flagship project of the… Read More

May 18, 2020 @ 9:19 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Digital asset custody platform Koine announced on Monday it has received in-principle approval (IPA) to provide custody in relation to Virtual Assets in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). According to Koine, the IPA was granted by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM…. Read More

May 11, 2020 @ 2:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Fintech firm Spotii has introduced its shop now (or buy now) pay later platform. The credit is provided at “no interest, no cost.” Spotii has teamed up with various online merchants, allowing them to provide four “cost-free” installments to customers when… Read More

May 10, 2020 @ 6:44 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Qatar’s central bank (QCB) has proposed a second strategic plan which involves establishing clear policies that aim to support venture capital funding and the development of SMEs, according to Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani, the governor at QCB. The Qatar Development Bank (QDB), a local… Read More

May 10, 2020 @ 6:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

David Parker, co-chief investment officer at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (an organization responsible for attracting inward investment into the Kingdom for key areas such as technology development and supporting the local financial and banking industry), recently confirmed that the country aims to position itself… Read More

May 7, 2020 @ 11:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) top regulatory authorities have asked local businesses to leverage the latest Fintech solutions to counter anti-money laundering (AML) and other types of illicit financial activities. The advisory was issued by the nation’s reserve bank, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice,… Read More

May 1, 2020 @ 9:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), an intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of the Arab states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is expected to experience a significant increase in the use of Fintech platforms and services. The anticipated… Read More

April 27, 2020 @ 11:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global Ventures, a Dubai-based venture capital firm that recently finalized a $50 million investment round, has released a new report that discusses the state of Fintech in the Middle East region. Global Ventures’ extensive 59-page report covers the ongoing growth and development of the Fintech… Read More

April 20, 2020 @ 7:50 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

  Germany-based global provider of digital payments and commerce solutions Wirecard announced on Monday it has joined forces with Visa to be the preferred payment processor for Visa as a way to boost the Visa Fintech Fast Track Program in the Middle East region. According to… Read More

April 20, 2020 @ 7:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the nation’s reserve bank which is also responsible for ensuring the growth and soundness of the Kingdom’s financial system, confirmed on April 19, 2020 that it will allow nine more Fintech firms to provide services through a regulatory sandbox… Read More

April 13, 2020 @ 8:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Qatar-based Commercial Bank revealed on April 12, 2020, that it’s launching two new products that offer digital payment and remittance solutions. Joseph Abraham, Group CEO at Commercial Bank, confirmed during a video press conference that the bank has introduced the “CB Household Worker PayCard,” which… Read More

April 8, 2020 @ 9:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai-based Mamo Pay, a Fintech firm established by former Google employees, has secured  $1.5 million in capital, in order to streamline peer to peer (P2P) payments in the United Arab Emirates and wider Middle East region. As reported by Mena Bytes, Mamo Pay’s seed investment… Read More

March 27, 2020 @ 6:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

National Bank of Oman (NBO), one of the largest financial institutions in the country and its first local bank, aims to raise awareness regarding the importance of practicing safe banking during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The NBO has taken several measures to ensure its clients… Read More

March 24, 2020 @ 1:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai-headquartered Fintech firm Rise has secured funding via an investment round led by Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP). The round was carried out through a partnership with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Fintech Fund, 500 Startups, Khwarizmi Ventures and Phoenician Funds. The amount invested has… Read More

March 21, 2020 @ 10:08 am By Omar Faridi  |  

stc Bahrain, a Fintech solutions provider and telecommunications firm, has revealed that it’s introducing new working procedures, in order to ensure safety of its workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The Bahrain-based Fintech said it aims to continue to offer innovative financial services to support… Read More

March 18, 2020 @ 11:05 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Digital brokerage solution provider DriveWealth announced on Wednesday it has formed a partnership with UAE-based wealth management company and online investment platform, Wealthface. DriveWealth reported that the partnership is its first initiative in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As previously reported, DriveWealth… Read More

March 17, 2020 @ 11:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Oman’s Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC) has committed to a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with BankDhofar at the Sas Center for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), in order to manage a technology innovation lab at the center. The MoC was reportedly signed by Dr…. Read More

March 17, 2020 @ 3:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Liv, the digital banking division of Emirates NBD, a Dubai government-owned banking institution and one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East, is planning to provide customers instant access to their credit scores, with just a single click. The Al Etihad Credit Bureau… Read More

March 16, 2020 @ 9:02 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Two major Fintech companies, Aion Digital and Qarar, are teaming up in order to accelerate the growth and development of online lending platforms across the Middle East region. According to a press release, the collaboration between the two Fintechs aims to “revolutionize the credit market”… Read More