Fintech Abu Dhabi 2024, Middle East’s largest fintech festival, has concluded its eighth edition as part of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW).
Notable speakers included Paul Kayrouz, Chief Fintech Officer at the Central Bank of the UAE; H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures; Lord David Cameron, former Prime Minister of the UK; Richard Teng, CEO of Binance; and Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle Internet Financial.
Panel discussions addressed topics such as the sustainability of fintech unicorns, the building of robust digital asset ecosystems, and the transformative potential of AI across finance and other industries.
Lord Cameron reflected on policy decisions during his tenure as UK Prime Minister, while H.R.H. Prince Khaled highlighted AI’s impact on finance and health.
During the event, Richard Teng and Jeremy Allaire announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing global adoption of USDC and other cryptocurrencies.
Specialised forums included the Islamic Finance Summit, which explored the future of Shariah-compliant finance and its alignment with sustainable practices, and the DLT Foundations Roundtable, which focused on regulatory frameworks for digital assets.
Returning events like AI Abu Dhabi, Blockchain AD, and the Risk 4.0 Forum examined challenges and opportunities in finance and technology.
Over 30 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during Abu Dhabi Finance Week, including agreements with Palo Alto Networks and Ma’an.
The event also featured the MENA Fintech Awards, recognising achievements in the fintech sector, and the ADFW Startup Campus and Venture Park, where local startups showcased innovations to potential investors.
Salem Mohammed Al Darei, CEO of ADGM Authority said,
“Fintech Abu Dhabi exemplifies our dedication to innovation, bringing global visionaries together to shape the future of finance and technology. We aim to facilitate meaningful conversations that continue to strengthen a thriving ecosystem coupled with progressive frameworks and a dynamic business environment.
By cultivating this we have enabled collaborations where innovation in finance and technology could flourish and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading hub for financial innovation and technology.”
