Tagged: middle east

March 25, 2025 @ 4:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ADGM, the International Financial Centre (IFC) of the UAE’s capital, has signed an MoU with Chainlink, which is said to be the “standard” for onchain finance, marking a key step in advancing compliant tokenization frameworks. This alliance will support projects under ADGM’s Registration Authority by… Read More

March 13, 2025 @ 8:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple, the enabler of enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, has received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to provide regulated crypto payments and services in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). Ripple will reportedly be the “first” blockchain-enabled payments provider licensed by the… 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 16, 2025 @ 11:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether Operations Limited, which claims to be one of the largest companies in the digital asset industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reelly Tech, one of the real estate B2B platforms in the UAE. This marks an advancement in the evolution of… Read More

February 13, 2025 @ 9:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA’s financial services and shopping app, has reportedly raised $160 million in a Series E round at “a $3.3 billion valuation.” The latest investment round was led by existing investors Blue Pool Capital and Hassana Investment Company, and also drew “additional participation from… Read More

January 30, 2025 @ 9:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Arab Financial Services (AFS), a provider of digital payment solutions and a fintech enabler across the MENA region, has announced its expansion into the United Arab Emirates. This  follows the acquisition of a Retail Payment Services License – Category II from the Central Bank of… Read More

January 21, 2025 @ 9:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Numou, a subsidiary of ADGM the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, announced an expansion of its lending partner network, strengthening its position as a digital lending marketplace. The platform reportedly features collaborations with institutions, including the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and private credit… Read More

January 12, 2025 @ 7:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SC Lowy has reportedly decided to accelerate its pivot towards private credit, an area “rich” with various opportunities in Asia and the Middle East, that will pave the way for the “gradual” wind down of its open-ended liquid Primary Investments Fund (PI). Initially launched as… Read More

January 7, 2025 @ 8:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global payment solutions provider Checkout.com has entered a partnership with noqodi, a payment gateway and financial service provider, to elevate the payment experience for businesses and consumers in the UAE. As part of the collab, Checkout.com will integrate its payment tech with noqodi’s digital platform,… Read More

January 2, 2025 @ 8:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licensed “Hiberbay Ink Al-Saoudia for IT Systems” to provide E-wallet solutions. With “Hiberbay Ink Al-Saoudia for IT Systems,” there are now 27 licensed firms providng payments services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This decision reflects SAMA’s aim to support… Read More

December 31, 2024 @ 4:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has announced a partnership with Dgpays, a financial technology provider, to advance the adoption of digital payment solutions for consumers and businesses across the EEMEA region. As part of the partnership, Mastercard and Dgpays will co-develop payment technologies and loyalty solutions tailored… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 8:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitpanda recently revealed that it will soon be able to offer their full range of products and services to users residing in the UAE, supported by their commitment to regulation in Europe and, as they expand, into the MENA region and other jurisdictions. The expansion… Read More

December 11, 2024 @ 5:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Alpaca noted that it is cementing its self-clearing foundation through its DTCC membership and product launches, including Options Trading and High Yield Cash Accounts. Alpaca, a brokerage infrastructure tech firm and self-clearing broker-dealer, delivering execution and custody solutions for Stocks, ETFs, and Options, that support… Read More

November 4, 2024 @ 10:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to announce that it plans to open an office in Riyadh in 2025. The office will now aim to strengthen HKEX’s Middle East presence as the Group looks to promote connectivity between China and the Gulf… Read More

October 15, 2024 @ 9:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence (DFI) team has released a report that is shedding light on the most pervasive cyberthreats facing organizations in the Middle East. The Kaspersky cybersecurity team has recently delved “deep into the dark web” – exploring everything from cybercriminal forums to shadow… Read More

October 10, 2024 @ 10:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Elliptic, the enabler of sophisticated blockchain analytics and digital asset risk management, has announced the launch of its regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a key milestone in its international expansion efforts. Elliptic is pleased to welcome Zahi Yaari as its new… Read More

September 19, 2024 @ 9:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mesh, the modern connectivity layer for crypto that makes transfers and account aggregation seamless, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with CoinMENA FZE, a digital assets trading platform in the Middle East. This collaboration aims to enhance digital asset transfer services by “allowing CoinMENA’s… Read More

September 2, 2024 @ 1:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In line with the Third Financial Sector Strategy issued by Qatar Central Bank, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) have announced the launch of the QFC Digital Assets Framework, a comprehensive and innovative regime for the creation and… Read More

August 20, 2024 @ 2:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitpanda are pleased to announce that The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) has become the first bank in the UAE to partner with Bitpanda Technology Solutions to unlock digital assets. RAKBANK is one of the major banks in the UAE, and one of the… Read More

August 15, 2024 @ 6:19 am By Omar Faridi  |  

ADGM, the international financial centre (IFC) of the UAE’s capital, continues its growth trajectory, reporting solid performance in the first half of 2024. As the fastest-growing financial centre and the only jurisdiction with the direct application of the English Common Law in the region, ADGM’s… Read More