Tagged: mena

January 1, 2024 @ 8:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) seeks public consultation on draft amendments to the “Key Principles of Governance in Financial Institutions under the control and supervision of the Saudi Central Bank.” In this context, SAMA invites stakeholders to “provide suggestions and observations on the draft by… Read More

December 27, 2023 @ 7:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has announced revisions to its Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Rules and Guidance (the AML Rulebook). The FSRA has made revisions that “clarify the requirements that previously appeared in the AML Rulebook, reflecting the federal regulatory framework the UAE has… Read More

December 26, 2023 @ 10:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) announced that Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC) has now joined the Real Time Gross Settlement System (KASSIP), “effective Sunday 24/12/2023 upon completion of automated linking and passing the technical tests.” The system would thereby “execute final settlements for financial transactions… Read More

December 26, 2023 @ 10:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore-based Whampoa Digital and Wemade, a Korean gaming company, have entered into a strategic partnership to collaborate on a US$100 million Web3 Fund to be established by Wemade as well as on digital asset initiatives in the Middle East. As part of this collaboration, Whampoa… Read More

December 24, 2023 @ 6:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In an effort to streamline its customer service operations and enhance its customers’ digital banking experience, Libyan Islamic Bank (LIB) has partnered with Backbase, the enabler of engagement banking platform solutions worldwide. Established in 2017 with a primary focus on retail and corporate segments, LIB… Read More

December 22, 2023 @ 2:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Newgen Software, a global provider of low code digital transformation platform, announced that the Development Bank (DB) selected Newgen in order “to streamline its Banking Processes and Deliver Transformed Experiences.” The financing arm for the government to “support SMEs based in Oman is dedicated to… Read More

December 21, 2023 @ 5:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA’s shopping and financial services app, has secured up to $700 million in receivables securitization from J.P. Morgan. The deal represents the largest asset-backed facility “obtained by a fintech company in the MENA region.” In parallel to the securitization financing, Tabby has “extended… Read More

December 17, 2023 @ 2:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Warply, a rapidly expanding fintech innovator in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has announced a significant collaboration with global payments technology company Mastercard. This partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is set to propel digital transformation in key MENA markets,… Read More

December 2, 2023 @ 3:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Paytabs, a payment solutions provider in the MENA region, announced the launch of PayTabs Issuance — secure prepaid card issuing solutions aimed at scaling business operations regionally. Abdulaziz Al Jouf, CEO and founder of PayTabs Group, emphasized the potential of the issuing market in the… Read More

December 1, 2023 @ 5:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global equity management company Carta announced plans to expand operations to the Middle East—citing a 180% increase in year-over-year bookings across the broader Asia Pacific region, and “launching with flagship Middle East customers including Global Ventures, BECO Capital, Cotu Ventures, and Outliers VC and Middle… Read More

November 30, 2023 @ 10:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Checkout.com, the global payments service provider, announced today a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered as their cash management bank “to bring improved operational and performance to Checkout.com’s merchants in the region.” The partnership leverages technology to “integrate payment systems and deliver an infrastructure that will… Read More

November 30, 2023 @ 4:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to welcome the listing of Asia Pacific’s first ETF to “track Saudi Arabian equities – the CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF (Stock code: 2830 / 82830).” This ETF, which tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, “provides investors… Read More

November 28, 2023 @ 11:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Wahed Invest Limited, the UAE robo-advisory subsidiary of Wahed Inc., a global Shariah-compliant fintech that aims to advance financial inclusion through accessible, affordable and value-based investing, has launched after “having been granted a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of… Read More

November 28, 2023 @ 12:51 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Nium, the firm enabling real-time global payments, and Jeonbuk Bank (JB Bank), aSouth Korean financial institution, have announced a partnership. Together, they will offer the country’s first global remittance service “targeted at the 2.5 million non-Korean residents that live in South Korea.” The service will… Read More

November 24, 2023 @ 10:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lunate, a global alternative investment management company with more than $50 billion of assets under management, and BNY Mellon (NYSE:BK), the largest custodian and a leader in wealth management technology are investing in a new company, Alpheya, that “will develop a customized wealth management technology… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 2:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Foodics, the restaurant management and payment solutions in MENA, announced its collaboration with Suplyd in Egypt, the digital supply chain management and procurement platform. This partnership offers a comprehensive supply chain management solution to restaurants in Egypt, making it easier “for restaurant owners to manage… Read More

November 14, 2023 @ 8:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced that its Dubai entity, CRO DAX Middle East FZE, has been granted a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) License “for specified virtual asset service activities by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).” Crypto.com’s VASP License is “subject to the Company fully satisfying select… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 12:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

MNT-Halan has reportedly closed a $130 million securitization. As Egypt’s “first” unicorn and “fastest-growing” fintech, they’ve now “raised over US$ 400m in 2023, and target US$ 550 by the year’s end.” MNT-Halan has closed five tranches of securitized bond issuances “through its microfinance and consumer… Read More

November 10, 2023 @ 5:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Copper, an institutional digital asset infrastructure provider, has acquired Securrency Capital Limited, a full-service, regulated blockchain-enabled brokerage firm offering digital securities trading based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Securrency Capital’s platform, “powered by Securrency’s digital asset infrastructure and compliance aware solutions, provides investors… Read More

November 8, 2023 @ 4:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation, fintech investment and ventures arm, is partnering with SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial conglomerate, to establish a Digital Asset Joint Venture investment company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The parties say that they intend “to capitalize the vehicle with… Read More