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…

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has launched an upgraded e-services portal for its regulatory sandbox. The enhanced platform introduces automated processes and an advanced application tracking system to streamline onboarding for fintech companies and financial institutions. SAMA designed the improvements to help applicants access the testing environment more efficiently, supporting its broader efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem by simplifying the process of testing innovative financial solutions. SAMA introduced the regulatory sandbox in 2018 to allow local and international fintech companies and financial institutions to test new financial products and services in a controlled environment. Since then, the sandbox…

Interest in blockchain in Africa declined notably in 2025, reflected in a sharp contraction in investment. According to a new report by Swiss early-stage VC firm CV VC and South African bank Absa Bank. African blockchain startups raised a total of US$90.1 million in funding through 28 deals in 2025, marking a 26.6% year-over-year (YoY) decline in total value from 2024’s US$122.8 million, and a 6.7% decline in deal count from 30 deals in 2024. This contraction is further illustrated by blockchain’s shrinking share of Africa’s all-sector venture funding. In 2025, blockchain represented just 5.3% of the ecosystem’s total funding…

Revolut plans to launch digital banking services in South Africa by 2028. The London-based fintech has submitted a license application to the South African Reserve Bank as it prepares to enter one of the continent’s most lucrative banking markets, as reported by Bloomberg. The company intends to introduce a zero-fee account and tailored financial products once it secures regulatory approval. Revolut has already generated substantial local interest, with a waitlist approaching 100,000 registrations. “We aren’t interested in chasing customer acquisition numbers for the sake of a headline,” said Jacques Meyer, CEO for South Africa, Revolut. “Our focus is on delivering…

PayPal Ventures has paused new investment activity and is reviewing its structure, casting uncertainty over a US$100 million commitment to the Middle East and Africa (MEA), according to reporting from FWDSTART citing multiple sources. A PayPal spokesperson confirmed the development, stating that the company is “exploring strategic options for our corporate venture arm” as part of efforts to sharpen its focus. The review affects PayPal’s broader emerging markets strategy. In September 2025, the company pledged US$100 million to support startups across the Middle East and Africa through minority investments, acquisitions, and follow-on funding, following the launch of its Dubai regional…

The UAE Cybersecurity Council and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have completed the first cohort of their cybersecurity startup accelerator, advancing a strategic goal to scale more than 500 companies. This initiative provided 23 founders with go-to-market support and exposure to venture investment networks. Run in partnership with CrowdStrike and e&, the six-week programme selected its first batch of startups from 157 applications across five countries. Participating founders developed solutions spanning cloud security, identity management, and artificial intelligence for threat detection. Backed by the government, this multi-year initiative aims to foster ‘Made in UAE’ cybersecurity innovations designed to address emerging global…

Huawei has introduced a framework for token monetisation in mobile networks at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2026. The company is pushing telecom operators to shift their billing models from data consumption to AI token production and transmission. The technology firm presented its token economy concept as a new measure of value in mobile communications. As AI agents scale across industries, Huawei stated that supporting token production and consumption will become increasingly important. The company said this capability could become a key differentiator for network operators. The shift aims to help carriers monetise the computing output their infrastructure delivers to…

Botim Money has launched virtual IBAN-enabled wallets in the UAE. The fintech platform is targeting blue-collar workers who have historically been excluded from conventional banking services. The product allows eligible users to obtain an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) in their own name. This enables them to receive salary payments, direct deposits, and domestic bank transfers directly through the Botim application. It provides access to the UAE’s instant payment platform AANI and supports international remittances to more than 170 countries. The wallet includes a globally accepted Mastercard and offers regulated credit solutions. Account holders can invest in fractional gold and…

Lean Technologies and Ziina have launched a one-tap pay by bank feature in the UAE. The open finance integration lets users link their bank accounts once for future wallet top-ups, bypassing credential re-entry and separate bank portal redirects. Built on Lean’s deposit infrastructure, the feature marks a shift in the local account-to-account payments market. Previous pay by bank options in the country typically required users to authorise every single transaction individually. “Pay by bank has been live in the UAE for some time, but until now, it has only been available as single instant payments,” said Omar Hamada, VP of…