Tagged: uae

September 7, 2026 @ 9:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Standard Chartered (LON: STAN) has expanded its digital-asset services in the United Arab Emirates, introducing institutional spot trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum through its Dubai International Financial Centre unit. The bank said the offering makes it the first global systemically important bank to provide this… Read More

August 30, 2026 @ 10:56 am By Michael Wong  |  

The United Arab Emirates’ Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year General Space Services License, allowing the company to establish and operate a public satellite communications network in the country. The license authorizes Starlink to operate and… Read More

August 22, 2026 @ 5:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates briefly held two employees of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance in recent weeks as part of police investigations into possible financial wrongdoing linked to activity on the platform. The workers were intercepted while passing through airports in the Emirates and… Read More

July 29, 2026 @ 9:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates has activated a new digital payment pathway that lets qualifying customers settle flight bookings with cryptocurrency via Crypto.com Pay. The feature is now live on the airline’s website and mobile application, giving travellers an additional method beyond traditional cards and transfers. The service is… Read More

July 27, 2026 @ 5:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

International digital payments provider Checkout.com has secured preliminary authorization for a Stored Value Facilities license from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. This regulatory step positions the company to expand its local services by combining payment acceptance functions with card issuance capabilities within… Read More

July 18, 2026 @ 6:18 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital bank Revolut has obtained in-principle approval to deliver virtual asset services across the UAE. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai granted the preliminary license, positioning the company to introduce broker-dealer activities, asset management and investment services, as well as exchange functionalities in… Read More

July 17, 2026 @ 3:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore-based digital payments Fintech Triple-A has taken a major step forward in its Middle East expansion by obtaining in-principle approval (IPA) from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai. This milestone positions the company to offer regulated broker-dealer services involving virtual assets once it… Read More

July 17, 2026 @ 1:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Remitly Global, Inc. has obtained a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license paired with an Exchange Business Category IV authorization from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE). This approval positions the company among the early international remittance specialists to gain such credentials in… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 8:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the fintech platform operating across the Middle East region, has introduced Tabby Cash—a spending account that combines a rewarding cashback card with cost-free money transfers. This marks a significant expansion as the company evolves from its roots in flexible payments into a comprehensive everyday… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 6:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has released its 2025 Annual Report, underscoring the authority’s success in balancing dynamic growth with rigorous regulatory standards. As the international financial hub of the UAE capital, ADGM continues to attract global… Read More

June 17, 2026 @ 10:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital bank Revolut, which supports a global fintech platform currently serving more than 75 million customers around the world, has achieved a regulatory milestone in the United Arab Emirates. On June 17, 2026, the Fintech company confirmed it has obtained full approval for its Stored… Read More

June 11, 2026 @ 1:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has formed a strategic alliance with Numou, a specialized subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This collab now aims to enhance financing opportunities for forward-thinking businesses, helping them scale operations and contribute more effectively to the… Read More

June 3, 2026 @ 4:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

Stablecoin issuer Tether will offer a gold-backed card in partnership with Fasset, according to a block post. The company claims this is a “world’s first” gold-backed neobank card. Fasset, based in Dubai, is regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and holds both a VASP… Read More

May 28, 2026 @ 5:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Investment platform Kraken has rolled out significant enhancements to its platform, focusing on user-friendly earning opportunities and strategic international expansion. These developments underscore the exchange’s commitment to accessibility, security, and compliance in the evolving digital assets landscape. On May 21, 2026, Kraken introduced AVAX staking… Read More

May 25, 2026 @ 11:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Despite the ongoing regional tensions and uncertainty in the global market, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) drew strong investor demand in its latest local-currency bond sale. In a statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Finance said it raised 1.1 billion dirhams, or about $300 million, through… Read More

May 11, 2026 @ 12:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

BNY (NYSE: BK) has joined forces with Finstreet Limited and the ADI Foundation in a partnership designed to introduce regulated, high-capacity, institutional-quality digital asset custody services rooted in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The initiative combines BNY’s established strengths in asset safeguarding with the… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 6:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

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

April 19, 2026 @ 2:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

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

April 10, 2026 @ 12:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ruben Bombardi, the VARA General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Enablement, noted that the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) published its Guidance on the Virtual Asset Issuance Rulebook, setting out in practical terms how virtual assets are “created, disclosed, and brought to market” in Dubai…. Read More

February 16, 2026 @ 1:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

LuLu Financial Holdings has joined forces with Bitpanda Technology Solutions to introduce digital asset trading to its customer network. This alliance aims to seamlessly blend crypto options into traditional financial tools, catering to a growing demand for diversified investment opportunities in emerging markets. The partnership… Read More