Checkout.com has released its latest report, MENA Digital Commerce 2026: The New Era of AI in Payments, revealing that while consumers increasingly expect “invisible” payments, security concerns remain the primary driver of cart abandonment in the region. The report found that 97% of regional consumers value payments that occur without manual credential entry or page redirections. However, 62% identified a safe and secure payment process as the most important factor in online shopping, placing it ahead of speedy delivery. Friction in the payment process carries immediate penalties for merchants. According to the data, 62% of consumers abandon a purchase following…

ADI Foundation and SettleMint have partnered to build digital securities infrastructure on the ADI Chain, supporting the issuance and management of tokenised assets under the ADGM regulatory framework. The collaboration combines ADI Foundation’s Layer-2 blockchain, which serves as the settlement ledger, with SettleMint’s Digital Asset Lifecycle Platform. Using the ERC-3643 standard, the platform supports token creation, on-chain recording, post-trade servicing, and lifecycle management. The companies said the architecture addresses a key barrier to institutional adoption by connecting issuance, trading, settlement, and custody across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory regimes. The system records every transaction simultaneously on the ADI blockchain. While the…

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has announced a US$1.69 billion financial relief package to support individuals, SMEs, and large corporates facing recent economic pressures. The initiative has reached 60,559 individuals, 4,335 SMEs, and 485 large corporates, with targeted support directed toward sectors under strain, including transport (361 firms), hospitality (173), and entertainment (134). Under the programme, eligible borrowers can defer loan repayments for up to six months without being classified as in default. The package also includes suspensions on interest and fee payments for affected facilities, alongside continued access to bank financing. All corporations, SMEs, and individuals impacted…

Egypt-born proptech startup Byit has expanded its operations into the UAE, launching a suite of AI tools designed to facilitate cross-border property transactions. The company has established a new entity, Byit Ventures, to connect Egyptian real estate supply with international demand. The expansion specifically targets investors based in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Byit’s platform uses AI to match clients with relevant properties through data-driven recommendations. The new tools provide real-time market analysis, client lifecycle management, and performance optimisation features. They are designed to help brokers process transactions more efficiently. The expansion follows a recent strategic funding round. A15, Beltone…

Mawarid Finance has launched a financial management platform called Lynq, entering the UAE corporate spend market through a partnership with payment processor NymCard. The Islamic finance group designed the system to consolidate corporate cards, spend management, and global supplier payments for small and medium businesses. Users receive a dedicated virtual IBAN to fund their accounts and manage company spending from a single dashboard. By integrating NymCard’s processing engine, Mawarid Finance can issue both physical and virtual Mastercard products. The platform also includes tools for finance teams to set spending limits and monitor transactions in real time, alongside cross-border payment rails…

Crypto.com has secured a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The license, granted to the company’s local entity Foris DAX Middle East FZE, activates a partnership with the Dubai Department of Finance. The agreement allows UAE residents to pay government fees using virtual assets through the exchange’s platform. To comply with the central bank’s regulatory framework, the system will process all financial settlements for these government services exclusively in UAE dirhams or CBUAE-approved dirham-backed stablecoins. Users must onboard through Crypto.com’s existing platform, which Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) already regulates, to access…

Regulation in the CFD and forex industry is continuously evolving in response to changing market dynamics and technology advancements. New rules can reshape leverage, transparency, and how trading platforms operate, directly affecting both service providers and retail traders. Understanding current regulatory updates is crucial for anyone involved in online trading or overseeing compliance within finance. The rapid pace of change in CFD and forex trading regulation stems from a combination of product complexity and the widespread adoption of online trading platforms. With these changes, financial authorities seek to address risks associated with leveraged trading and market accessibility. For readers monitoring…

Codebase Technologies has partnered with Ovanti to support the launch of an Agentic Digital Asset Bank aimed at enabling AI-driven orchestration of digital asset portfolios for both retail and institutional customers. The collaboration will see Ovanti’s technology arm, Datamorph, integrate its proprietary Web3 infrastructure and autonomous AI capabilities into Codebase Technologies’ Digibanc platform. This integration reduces the need for complex core infrastructure development and allows Ovanti to deploy the solution within its broader digital ecosystem. The partnership aligns with rising industry demand for AI adoption, with Accenture noting that nine out of ten organisations plan to increase AI spending in…

Telr has partnered with Geidea to integrate its digital payment gateway with Geidea’s physical point-of-sale terminals for merchants in the UAE. The collaboration connects Telr’s e-commerce acquiring infrastructure with Geidea’s retail hardware, allowing businesses to manage online and in-store transactions through a single setup. Telr operates as a licensed payments acquirer regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The company provides a proprietary payment gateway that processes digital transactions across multiple channels. The partnership aims to simplify payment acceptance for retail businesses. Merchants can access a unified commerce experience across online and physical retail environments. “Our proprietary technology…

AE Coin, the AED-backed stablecoin, has onboarded Nephos Group to accept stablecoin payments, marking a shift from retail use cases into mainstream business services. The move is said to signal a broader transformation in how regulated digital currencies are being used across the UAE, with stablecoins moving beyond trading exchanges and remittances into everyday commercial use. Through the AEC Wallet, Nephos Group clients could now settle their invoices within seconds using the AE Coin. The AEC Wallet enables users to send, receive, and pay using the UAE AE Coin, and is fully backed on a 1:1 ratio by the UAE…

Despite significant conflict and instability in the Middle East, fintech investment stayed resilient in Q1 2026, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as one of the strongest fintech funding markets globally, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. The UAE attracted US$486 million in fintech funding in Q1 2026, securing its position as the third-largest recipient globally for the quarter. This places the country behind only the US with US$5.46 billion, and the UK with US$1.09 billion. The UAE fintech funding landscape was dominated by large-scale rounds directed toward established ventures expanding across borders, infrastructure platform providers, and high-growth verticals…

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has launched a suite of API-driven services that allow brokers and banks to embed direct market access into their platforms, streamlining account funding for ADX trading. The exchange introduced ADX Managed Services during the Make it in the Emirates forum in Abu Dhabi on May 5. Brokerage firm International Securities signed an initial agreement to be the first partner to deploy the system. The first product in the rollout is a Certified Cash Transfer service. It integrates directly with the Central Bank of the UAE payment infrastructure to process real-time fund transfers from bank…

du has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to provide advisory and consultancy services aimed at supporting enterprises in their digital transformation efforts. The agreement, announced at the Make it in the Emirates forum, will see du Tech guide companies through structured innovation and implementation journeys from concept to execution. The initiative aims to connect advanced technology adoption with scalable deployment strategies aligned with the UAE’s broader economic and industrial goals. Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, said: “This partnership reflects our role in shaping the future of the UAE’s innovation ecosystem, where advanced technology capabilities and structured…

Mastercard and Yellow Card are launching a strategic partnership to develop stablecoin payment products across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with the UAE named as an initial focus market. The collaboration will test stablecoin use cases across four areas. These include cross-border remittances, business-to-business settlements, digital loyalty programmes, and treasury management. Both companies will work with banks and regulatory bodies to pilot compliant stablecoin solutions designed to improve payment efficiency and reduce transaction costs. Yellow Card operates as a licensed stablecoin infrastructure provider, focusing primarily on emerging markets where traditional banking infrastructure can be fragmented. The alliance will…

BNY is partnering with Finstreet and the ADI Foundation on a regulated digital asset custody initiative in Abu Dhabi. Operating within the ADGM, the collaboration will initially focus on providing custody for Bitcoin and Ethereum for clients within Finstreet’s digital market ecosystem. Finstreet is a subsidiary of the International Holding Company (IHC) through Sirius International Holding. The ADI Foundation operates as an Abu Dhabi-based blockchain infrastructure organisation. The companies plan to eventually expand the custody offering to the ADI Foundation’s blockchain network to support stablecoins, tokenised real-world assets, and other regulated digital instruments. The partnership aims to connect BNY’s institutional…

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has proposed updates to its Islamic finance regulatory framework, seeking to clarify when firms must obtain an Islamic endorsement and strengthen disclosure requirements for Takaful products. The DFSA issued Consultation Paper No. 172, setting out clearer criteria for when authorised firms or market institutions “hold themselves out” as conducting Islamic financial business. This includes cases where firms state that their operations, funds, or products are Shari’a-compliant, offer financial services linked to Islamic products, or manage Islamic or Shari’a-compliant funds. Under the proposed changes, firms that simply distribute or provide access to Islamic financial products…

TerraPay and Cooperative Bank of Oromia have launched blockchain-based settlement for inward remittances to Ethiopia. The system supports euro-denominated flows from Europe and combines TerraPay’s cross-border payments network, COOP Bank’s domestic banking infrastructure, and digital euro settlement provided by Quantoz Payments. Ethiopia receives more than US$5 billion in annual remittances. The launch comes alongside ongoing foreign exchange reforms aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in cross-border flows. The programme was developed with the Inclusive Financial Technology Foundation (INFTF), which worked with central banks and financial institutions to define the regulatory and technical framework for blockchain-based settlement in the corridor. The…

Qatar Fintech Hub has opened applications for its Wave 8 Fintech Pre-Acceleration Program, targeting early-stage startups preparing for market entry in the country. The hybrid initiative will run from June to September 2026. The programme specifically targets startups at the minimum viable product stage, helping them validate their solutions and prepare for regulatory compliance in Qatar. The program focuses on startups operating across several key financial verticals. These include open banking, digital lending, wealthtech, insurtech and other emerging financial technologies. Participants will receive structured support and regulatory guidance aimed at helping them qualify for entry into the Qatar Central Bank…

Innovation City, the UAE’s AI-focused free zone in Ras Al Khaimah, has launched what it describes as the world’s first blockchain-based digital business identity system. Companies registered in the zone are now issued a cryptographically verifiable, blockchain-native identity built on IOPn’s OPN Chain, according to Gulf News. The system replaces traditional business licences, which are typically static documents or entries in centralised databases, with a dynamic, on-chain digital identity intended to be continuously verifiable and updated. The initiative aligns with the UAE government’s broader push towards agentic AI, including its stated target of transitioning 50% of federal services and operations…

COINPAYMENTS has announced that it will work with luxury automotive brand Aston Martin to explore the potential use of digital assets in vehicle purchases. The companies unveiled the initiative during Miami Grand Prix week alongside the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. They will examine how to integrate next-generation payment systems into the buying process for Aston Martin sportscars and SUVs. COINPAYMENTS has been a Global Partner of Aston Martin Aramco since 2025, with this marking the first full year of that partnership. Ali Rafi, Group CEO of COINPAYMENTS, said: “This project marks a step in bridging digital assets with…