June 3, 2017 @ 1:53 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is looking to streamline the process of financial innovation by creating a special license for Fintech firms called the “Innovation Testing License” or ITL.  The DFSE said the ITL signals the “next phase” in their regulatory roadmap to increase… Read More

May 22, 2017 @ 9:57 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Dubai’s pioneering government-backed initiative to implement blockchain technology across the city is now into its third month, and the pilot schemes continue to roll out. The move aims  to secure the city’s reputation as a leading Middle Eastern business center. This month Dubai’s largest bank, Emirates… Read More

May 16, 2017 @ 10:11 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, has announced its first batch of Fintech Regulatory Laboratory (Reglab) participants comprising five local and international Fintech startups with various innovation offerings.The ADGM Reglab is reportedly the first Fintech regulatory sandbox and framework in the… Read More

May 15, 2017 @ 9:03 am By JD Alois  |  

Fidor, a digital bank and Fintech solutions provider, has appointed Brad Whittfield as Global Chief Financial Officer. This is a newly created role within the Fidor Group and will be based in Dubai, UAE – Fidor Solutions’ central hub for its global expansion. Whittfield is… Read More

May 9, 2017 @ 12:23 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

Invoice Bazaar, a UAE Fintech supply chain finance platform announced an investment from Shirish Apte, former CEO and Chairman Asia Pacific of Citigroup. Founded last year in Dubai, Invoice Bazaar has now expanded into India and Singapore. “Having seen the business model of many FinTech… Read More

May 4, 2017 @ 1:36 am By Cole Lyons  |  

New York University Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates Exchange signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the attempt to promote both the advancement of innovation of financial technologies. The two have agreed to accomplish this through the innovation and entrepreneurship platform, startAD. startAD is based… Read More

April 17, 2017 @ 7:35 am By JD Alois  |  

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced it is now accepting applications for its ‘FinTech Hive at DIFC’ accelerator program. The announcement comes after DIFC received registered interest from more than 200 companies since it opened its doors in January. The 12-week program is… Read More

March 5, 2017 @ 8:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Dubai-based Beehive has become the first peer to peer lending platform to be authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) Beehive reports that the new regulation is a first for the region and may catalyze sector growth of the Fintech industry. Beehive said… Read More

January 31, 2017 @ 1:14 am By Jessica Pham  |  

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is partnering with Dubai’s Ministry of Finance to co-host a fintech seminar during the 5th World Government Summit that will take place in Dubai between February 12-14, 2017.  Blockchain technology will be a key discussion point during this panel —… Read More

December 19, 2016 @ 6:47 am By Erin Hobey  |  

NOW Money (NOW), the new remittance app for the unbanked population of the UAE, has won IBM’s SmartCamp competition in Dubai. The competition which took place at the Google Tech Incubator Astrolabs invites early-stage start-up businesses to pitch and win a place at the World’s largest… Read More

December 5, 2016 @ 3:22 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Innovate Finance, an association that’s dedicated to the global fintech industry, announced on Monday it is set to support the creation of two fintech hubs located in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UAE. While speaking at the FinTech Enterprise Excellerate (E2) conference in the Gulf, Lawrence… Read More

November 2, 2016 @ 4:56 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international finance center in Abu Dhabi, announced on Wednesday the launch of its new Fintech RegLab. This news comes seven months after ADGM revealed the development the center as the fintech hub in the MENA region. ADGM stated the… Read More

August 22, 2016 @ 7:55 am By JD Alois  |  

Dubai-based Eureeca has released a statement following their successful self-crowdfunding round where they raised $400,000 in 12 days. Sam Quawasmi, co-CEO and co-founder, called the event an important one for platform growth.  Today Eureeca has over 12,000 active investors from 42 different countries. “This year has… Read More

August 8, 2016 @ 9:51 am By JD Alois  |  

Eureeca closed its self-crowdfunding round this weekend early – 100% funded. The offer closed after just 12 days of being available online. The securities offer was over 60% funded on day one Based in Dubai, Euereeca has bigger ambitions having received FCA approval in the… Read More

January 5, 2016 @ 7:33 am By JD Alois  |  

Dubai-based equity crowdfunding platform Eureeca has set a platform record having raised $610,000 for UK based Homes or Houses. The funding round closed at 151% of its goal in under 30 days. Eureeca is a twice-regulated platform, having received licensing from the UK Financial Conduct… Read More

November 24, 2015 @ 10:41 am By JD Alois  |  

Beehive, a young peer to peer lending platform, and Thomson Reuters, have partnered on an innovation white paper regarding the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The document, embedded below, is designed to learn how small business approach innovation.  Beehive hosted a roundtable earlier this year that… Read More

November 17, 2015 @ 5:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

Dubai-based Beehive, a marketplace/P2P lending platform has celebrated it’s one year anniversary this week.  In September 2015, Beehive pioneered a global first by becoming the first independently certified Sharia compliant P2P platform.  With its Sharia-compliant offering, Beehive supports Dubai’s strategy to become the capital of the… Read More

September 3, 2015 @ 8:32 am By JD Alois  |  

Clyde & Co, an international law firm operating mainly in the MENA region, states it has advised Beehive on its Sharia certification.  Beehive announced the receipt of its certification earlier this week. The peer to peer lending platform received approval by the Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB). The certification… Read More

July 13, 2015 @ 8:05 am By JD Alois  |  

Dubai based Beehive, the first peer to peer lender to set up shop in the UAE, has announced surpassing AED 12 million in loans ($3 Million USD) to 25 SMEs. Beehive has been in business less than one year. According to the company borrowing businesses… Read More

April 4, 2015 @ 10:05 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

Beehive, the UAE’s leading online marketplace for peer-to-peer finance announced it has reached a critical milestone where over 1,000 people have registered to become investors since its official launch in November 2014. This represents an average month-on-month growth of 20% in registration numbers since the company’s inception… Read More