Remitly has secured a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Exchange Business Category IV license from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The approval enables the digital remittance company to develop new financial products and services tailored for customers in the UAE. As part of its local expansion, Remitly has opened an office in Abu Dhabi and is building relationships with local regulators and partners. The company will leverage its global network, which supports money transfers to more than 175 countries. Customers in the UAE can continue sending funds to destinations including India, the Philippines, the UK, and Europe. Remitly…

Deutsche Bank has received a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). Based in Riyadh, this new hub will serve as a central platform for regional management, strategic decision-making, and corporate functions across the Middle East. Securing this license supports the bank’s operations in corporate banking, investment banking, and wealth management. This expansion aligns directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to strengthen the country’s position as a leading regional financial hub. The regulatory approval coincides with Deutsche Bank’s 20th year in Saudi Arabia. Operations began in 2006 when the bank opened its Riyadh…

du Pay, the digital financial services arm of UAE telecom operator du, has launched instant wallet-to-wallet transfers to GCash accounts in the Philippines. The offering specifically targets Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the UAE who are sending money home. Customers can easily register for the service using their mobile number and Emirates ID. They can then send funds to any GCash wallet around the clock with no delays. Transfers run on a regulated platform, with du Pay offering competitive foreign exchange rates and low fees. The Central Bank of the UAE fully licenses the payment provider. For a limited campaign…

Policybazaar.ae has partnered with Tabby to launch split-payment options for insurance premiums in the UAE. The partnership enables customers to pay for motor and health insurance through interest-free monthly instalments, lowering the upfront cost of coverage. Through this integration, users can divide their annual premium payments into four equal monthly instalments with zero interest and zero processing fees. Customers looking for longer repayment windows can also opt for extended payment plans spanning six, eight, or twelve months. Tap Payments provides the checkout infrastructure for the integration. The system allows users to select Tabby at the point of purchase to complete…

Taptap Send has secured three regulatory licenses from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), including approvals for stored value facilities, retail payment services (Category II), and exchange business (Category IV). These new licenses allow the cross-border payments company to expand its offering beyond remittances to include local payments, digital wallets, and cards for diaspora communities in the country. The approvals clear the way for Taptap Send to operate a broader financial ecosystem onshore in the UAE. The company currently focuses on international money transfers, moving funds for customers in more than 35 countries to recipients in over 80 destinations…

Flutterwave has secured a strategic investment from Circle Ventures to expand stablecoin infrastructure across its platform. The capital will support the integration of USDC settlement capabilities directly into existing merchant payment workflows, enabling near-instant settlement beyond traditional banking hours. The development follows Flutterwave’s participation in the launch of the Circle Payments Network in 2025. By integrating USDC, the dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle, the fintech firm aims to strengthen stablecoin adoption. It seeks to establish stablecoins as critical financial infrastructure for payments across Africa. “This support from Circle Ventures is about backing the rails that will power the next era…

Bitcoin Suisse has secured a Financial Services Permission from the ADGM following an In-Principle Approval granted last year The Swiss crypto financial services provider will use the regulatory approval to offer digital asset wealth management and custody services to institutional clients in the UAE. The permission was granted by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to BTCS Middle East, a subsidiary of the Bitcoin Suisse Group. It allows the firm to provide institutional custody, trading of approved virtual assets, and exposure management in a fully compliant environment. BTCS Middle East will draw on the parent company’s existing infrastructure and experience…

UAE property developer Arada is establishing Arada Capital, a new funds management platform based in the ADGM. The vehicle has received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and is seeking final licensing approval to operate as a fund manager. It targets US$5 billion in assets under management within four years of establishment. The platform will provide institutional and qualified investors access to real estate opportunities across the Gulf Cooperation Council, with plans to expand into infrastructure and broader private market strategies. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal will chair Arada Capital, which will be governed by an…

Emirates NBD has partnered with startup accelerator Techstars to integrate AI and fintech startups directly into its regional operations. The collaboration uses an “Acceleration-to-Enterprise” model to move startups straight into commercial deployment across compliance, wealth management, SME banking, and capital markets. The initiative will combine the bank’s analytics infrastructure with Techstars’ global pipeline of more than 11,000 founders. Selected startups will gain access to the bank’s cloud-native platform to pilot and scale their products. The programme aims to bypass traditional mentorship structures in favour of active enterprise integration. This development aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), a government roadmap…

The UAE dirham-backed stablecoin DDSC has received a No Objection Certificate from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to go live on selected exchange platforms regulated by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Backed by IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and Sirius International Holding, the digital asset is working toward transitioning from institutional settlement to retail use cases. The approval remains subject to the fulfilment of specific central bank requirements. DDSC is pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham and settles on ADI Chain, an institutional Layer-2 blockchain developed by the ADI Foundation. According to the consortium, the stablecoin…

KamelPay has launched an integrated corporate payments platform for businesses in the UAE. Called AbsoluteCard, the product helps businesses manage the increased administrative requirements brought on by the country’s recent introduction of corporate tax and e-invoicing. Available through a web portal and mobile app, the solution includes a corporate card powered by the Mastercard network. Mawarid Finance sponsors the card. Companies can use the system to issue physical and virtual cards instantly, set specific budgets, and monitor transactions in real time. AbsoluteCard also supports the instant issuance of multiple virtual IBANs. This feature enables businesses to separate funds across different…

Standard Chartered has launched a capability allowing institutional clients to mint and redeem USDC. As the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer this integrated access, Standard Chartered enables institutions to use the service without requiring them to maintain direct accounts with Circle. Standard Chartered is initially rolling out the USDC service to eligible clients operating through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) operations. It plans to expand the capability into additional markets, subject to regulatory approval and market readiness. Positioned as a bank-led integrated solution across banking, custody, and digital asset services, this capability connects fiat infrastructure with…

Mashreq has launched an embedded insurance product for SMEs in partnership with Sukoon Insurance. The integration allows businesses to purchase employee and liability coverage directly through the bank’s digital platform, bypassing manual documentation and broker intermediaries. The new offering is available via MashreqBiz, the bank’s online platform. It enables business customers to secure Workmen’s Compensation Insurance for workplace injuries and Third-Party Liability Insurance for property damage or accidental injury claims. By connecting Sukoon’s underwriting and policy issuance capabilities, Mashreq allows users to generate quotes, use pre-populated business data, and make payments without leaving the banking application. “By embedding these essential…

Franklin Templeton has established a new entity in Doha to expand its asset management operations across the Middle East. Initial authorisation from the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Regulatory Authority allows the firm to open a local office. Establishing this presence builds on an existing partnership between the asset manager and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Both organisations previously launched a Qatar-focused equity fund to support active asset management in the country. Franklin Templeton has appointed Salah Shamma as Senior Executive Officer and Country Head for the new entity, named Franklin Templeton Investments QFC LLC. Shamma has nearly 25 years of…

MoneyHash has partnered with MENA e-payment gateway HyperPay. The agreement allows merchants using the MoneyHash platform to access HyperPay’s payment capabilities through a single API integration. The collaboration supports businesses operating across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, Jordan, and neighbouring markets. It removes the need for merchants to build separate technical integrations when expanding their operations across the region. By connecting through MoneyHash, businesses can access intelligent transaction routing, centralised reporting, and operational visibility. The integration helps businesses improve transaction performance and reduce the complexity of managing fragmented payment infrastructure. “Merchants today face increasing complexity in managing fragmented payment infrastructures across…

Arab Bank Switzerland has launched a regulated wealth management entity in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to expand its regional operations. The new firm, ABS (Middle East) Limited, targets entrepreneurs, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals across the UAE and the wider region. The Geneva-headquartered private banking group appointed Samir Atitallah as CEO of the new entity. He will oversee the firm’s development, drawing on the institution’s Swiss private banking services and its existing Middle Eastern client network. Joining the leadership team, Michel Sarfati has been appointed head of family offices. Sarfati previously established the family office segment within the…

Mastercard has announced the launch of a cybersecurity centre to improve threat intelligence sharing across Africa. Designed to connect financial institutions and public sector organisations, this initiative helps them prepare for and respond to a sharp rise in ransomware and phishing attacks targeting the continent’s digital economy. Scheduled for a phased rollout in 2026, the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will start operations in South Africa and Nigeria. Up to 50 organisations will receive cyber risk analyses. They will also gain access to a threat intelligence feed from Recorded Future, a security firm acquired by Mastercard in 2024. Africa’s digital…

Tabby has secured consumer and SME finance licenses from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The regulatory approval allows the financial services app to offer extended payment plans for larger purchases and provide working capital to retailers on its platform. On the consumer side, the new license enables the company to finance purchases over SAR 2,000, with limits up to SAR 50,000. These extended plans operate on a Shariah-compliant Murabaha structure. The financing model sets the cost upfront and keeps it fixed throughout the plan, ensuring the amount owed does not increase and no late fees are applied. The company will…

Dubai-based insights consultancy SixthFactor has published a survey detailing payment preferences across the UAE. The research highlights a growing divide in UAE digital wallet adoption based on household income and education levels. The survey of 1,050 residents found that 70.7% have become more willing to use digital platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet over cash or physical cards. The data indicates that this shift in payment behaviour has accelerated over the past few years across all demographics. Income and education drive adoption The research exposes clear divides in usage based on earning power and academic background. Consumers…

Adyen has secured a Retail Payment Services Category II license from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The approval allows the payments company to manage local settlements directly, reducing reliance on third-party providers. This license gives Adyen greater oversight of compliance and settlement processes for merchants in the UAE. It also supports continued development across areas such as fraud prevention, emerging payment methods, and unified commerce. “Technology alone isn’t enough to serve large enterprises and platforms. It requires a solid, owned foundation that removes middlemen and protects customers from third-party risk,” said Mariëtte Swart, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer…