Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has launched UP by CBD, a mobile banking platform for micro and small businesses. The app integrates directly with the Dubai Unified License to give early-stage entrepreneurs faster access to financial services and business credit. Startups and new businesses in the UAE can use the platform for fast digital onboarding without branch visits. The mobile bank removes minimum balance requirements by offering a zero-balance account with flexible subscription plans. Businesses are also eligible for an instant business credit card upon licensing. This feature is designed to help founders manage early-stage cash flow and fund initial…

Mashreq has launched a fully digital bank account for international travellers and tourists visiting the UAE. The NEO On Arrival account uses passport-based eKYC to give short-term visitors immediate access to local transactions, avoiding the lengthy onboarding processes typically required by traditional banks. Upon entering the country, visitors can download the Mashreq NEO app and complete a digital verification process using their passports. The system activates a virtual account within minutes and issues a digital card for immediate use for digital payments at UAE merchants. “The launch of the NEO On Arrival account reflects our commitment to shaping agile banking…

Revolut has secured preliminary, in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to provide virtual asset services in the UAE. The approval represents an initial regulatory step and does not constitute a full license to operate digital asset services in the market. Subject to receiving final regulatory approvals, Revolut plans to offer services under VARA’s broker-dealer, management and investment, and exchange categories. The company intends to enable eligible customers to buy, sell, and hold digital assets through its retail application and standalone exchange platform, Revolut X. The move follows separate regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the UAE…

Emirates NBD has launched real-time US dollar cross-border payments on the Partior blockchain network. The bank is the first in the MENAT region to process live transactions on the platform. The deployment follows a successful live US dollar transaction with J.P. Morgan acting as the settlement and beneficiary bank. Emirates NBD corporate and institutional clients can now send real-time payments to J.P. Morgan beneficiary accounts. “Moving from partnership to live execution on the Partior network enables us to offer faster US dollar settlement for J.P. Morgan beneficiaries, supporting more efficient treasury operations for our clients,” said Anith Daniel, Group Head…

Botim has integrated its digital services into the Philippines’ Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) program through an ongoing partnership with BDO Unibank. The move targets the estimated 700,000 Filipinos working in the UAE, allowing them to activate digital wallets and access cross-border services before they relocate. Throughout 2026, the seminars will be delivered across BDO Unibank’s nationwide network. The sessions provide structured briefings, financial literacy training, and on-the-spot onboarding for the Botim app. The partnership shifts customer acquisition to the pre-departure phase. This gives Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) early access to a regulated platform for payments, remittances, credit, and savings. The…

Stablecoins is entering a more mature phase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), driven by regulatory clarity, development in digital asset infrastructure, and regional payment needs. A new paper by industry trade group MENA Fintech Association and blockchain startup Fireblocks looks at the state of this market, outlining emerging trends and key opportunities across cross-border payments, remittances, business-to-business (B2B) settlement and treasury operations, and merchant payments. Cross-border payments and remittances Cross-border payments and remittances are a prominent application of stablecoins in the UAE, and currently the most commercially mature use case. In this application, stablecoins solve critical pain points inherent…

Tabby has launched a fee-free debit account alternative called Tabby Cash in the UAE. The product marks the company’s expansion from flexible payments into everyday consumer money management. The new service is the first product built under the Stored Value Facilities license granted by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). Over 150,000 users have already joined the platform ahead of its full rollout across the country in the coming weeks. Tabby Cash is free to set up and charges no account or card fees. The accompanying Tabby Cash Card offers 3% cashback on chosen categories and all international spend…

Open finance infrastructure provider Spare has partnered with UAE-based B2B payments company Xsquare to embed account-to-account payment capabilities into business workflows. The collaboration offers businesses an alternative to traditional card payments, which can carry transaction costs of 2% to 3%. Through Spare’s unified API, Xsquare clients can access Pay by Bank capabilities for use cases including payables, receivables, and cross-border payments. The integration aims to reduce settlement delays and operational complexity by providing a single connection point across multiple banking relationships. “B2B payments across the region remain heavily fragmented, expensive, and operationally complex,” said Dalal AlRayes, Co-founder and CEO of…

Oman-based fintech Mamun is expanding its operations in Hong Kong to build stronger trade finance links between the Gulf region and Asia. The company seeks to strengthen cross-border trade finance between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China’s Greater Bay Area, according to a report by Arab Founders. The expansion follows the company’s entry into the Hong Kong market earlier this year with support from InvestHK. Mamun executives recently met with InvestHK representatives, including Global Head of Financial Services King Leung and Senior Vice President of Fintech Peggy Kwok, to discuss new trade finance partnerships. Two-way financing corridor The company…

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…