Tagged: mena

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

June 2, 2025 @ 9:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Office of Data Protection at ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, and the Office of Data Protection of Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration “in data protection and the enforcement of privacy… 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 25, 2025 @ 3:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

UAE-based Fintech startup Gainz has closed a seven-figure pre-seed funding round, combining equity and debt, as it looks to transform access to Shariah-compliant alternative financing for underserved small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The round was led by Antler MENAP,… Read More

May 23, 2025 @ 8:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

JP Morgan-backed Fintech venture, In-Solutions Global (ISG), has partnered with Bank of Baroda UAE to launch Jaywan Cards in the UAE. This collaboration reinforces ISG’s commitment to “enabling localised, secure, and cost-effective payment solutions for banks and consumers in the region.” The introduction of Jaywan… 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

April 27, 2025 @ 5:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

iMENA Group, a regional operator of digital platforms in the Middle East and North Africa, has raised $135 million in the first tranche of its pre-IPO funding round, backed by Sanabil Investments, FJ Labs, and several Saudi investors, including Saygin Yalcin, founder of SellAnyCar. The… Read More

April 25, 2025 @ 4:32 am By Omar Faridi  |  

ADGM, the international financial center of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, announces the launch of the Virtual Sell and Purchase, the real estate service, which allows multiple steps within property transactions to be “completed virtually by buyers, sellers, and associated banks.” ADGM’s new service streamlines… Read More

April 22, 2025 @ 9:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Moroccan Regtech company VOVE ID has reportedly acquired new investment from The Baobab Network in order to support its ongoing growth efforts across the Middle East and wider MENA region. The funding round (the actual amount not disclosed) marks a new milestone for the digital… Read More

April 20, 2025 @ 6:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubizzle Group, the MENA region’s digital marketplace group, announces today the acquisition of Property Monitor, a real-estate market intelligence platform in the UAE. The acquisition of Property Monitor reinforces Dubizzle Group’s leadership in real estate classifieds and technology “through a portfolio of brands, including Bayut… Read More

April 18, 2025 @ 9:18 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has announced a strategic partnership with TerraPay, a global money movement company, to enable real-time fund transfers for PayPal customers across the Middle East and Africa. This partnership aims to drive economic growth by connecting banks, mobile wallets, and financial institutions. According to… Read More

April 14, 2025 @ 9:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A research paper from ThruHQ, entitled, “Egyptian B2B directory” unveils what appears tobe a “significant disconnect” in Egypt’s online business-to-business sector. The latest research findings, which are said to be derived from the curation of ThruHQ‘s initial batch of listings, indicate that while “95% of… Read More

April 11, 2025 @ 2:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Checkout.com, a global digital payments company, announced its intention to expand its card issuing capabilities in the UAE. Checkout.com aims to roll out domestic card issuance “in the region in 2026, pending regulatory approval.” This will enable businesses to launch branded cards, whether physical or… Read More

April 3, 2025 @ 8:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Fuse, founded by TrueLayer veterans, has raised $6.6 million in a funding round led by Northzone. Other investors include Flourish Ventures, Alter Global, and angel investors. Fuse is a payments Fintech targeting the MENA region. The company says it is focusing on the “payments bottlenecks”… Read More

March 19, 2025 @ 1:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

NymCard, the embedded finance platform operating across 10+ countries in MENA, has secured $33 million in its Series B funding round, led by QED Investors. This marks QED Investors’ most “significant” investment in the region – and the first time leading a deal in the… Read More

March 4, 2025 @ 7:41 pm By Michael Wong  |  

UAE-based Fintech Flow48 has secured $69 million in a Series A funding round comprising debt and equity, as it seeks to scale its SME financing solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The round was led by Breega and included participation from 212,… Read More

February 25, 2025 @ 7:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Yuno, a payment orchestration platform, and the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), announced a partnership that will accelerate Yuno’s expansion into the Middle East, with the establishment of a regional headquarters in Qatar. This move—unveiled at Web Summit Qatar 2025—reportedly aligns with Qatar’s Third… Read More

February 18, 2025 @ 9:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Myne, a wealth and asset tracking platform, announced that the firm has secured $2 million and has now finalized its pre-seed round. The new investment round was led by Scene Holding, followed by Raz Holding with “participation from Plus VC, the most active VC in… Read More