Momentum continued on Day 3 of GITEX GLOBAL 2025, as the world’s largest technology and AI event presented new breakthroughs, collaborations, and real-world applications reshaping industries. The programme covered a broad spectrum of technologies, including AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, robotics, data centres, and quantum systems, with a particular focus on biotechnology and digital healthcare. The 45th edition of GITEX GLOBAL, held at Dubai World Trade Centre until 17 October, brings together more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors, and delegates from over 180 countries. On the main stage, Trevor Martin, CEO and Co-Founder of Mammoth Biosciences, discussed AI and…

Klarna has announced a partnership with Qatar Airways. Travellers booking flights with Qatar Airways can now use Klarna’s flexible payment options at checkout, giving them the choice to pay in full, pay later, split the cost into three interest-free instalments, or finance their booking over time. The partnership is enabled through Klarna’s integration with Worldpay and will be rolled out across 17 European markets, including the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Poland and the Czech Republic. David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Klarna, said: “With a single integration, Qatar…

Wio Bank PJSC has signed a MoU with TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s unified government services platform, to simplify business banking for entrepreneurs and SMEs across the Emirate. The agreement was signed during GITEX Global 2025. Under the partnership, Wio Business will be integrated into TAMM’s digital ecosystem, allowing users to open new accounts, link existing ones, and access account dashboards directly through the TAMM website and app. The service will offer a tailored experience for businesses at different stages, including specific flows for Abu Dhabi Trade License holders and full onboarding for companies outside the Emirate. Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio…

The second day of GITEX GLOBAL 2025 drew record crowds and packed conference halls, underscoring the continued momentum of the world’s largest technology and AI event. The day opened with a virtual discussion between Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, on the theme “AI-Native Societies,” followed by sessions featuring leaders from Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Khazna Data Centres, Cerebras, TAMM, Department of Government Enablement (Government of Abu Dhabi), Presight, Core42, Inception, AIQ, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Speakers examined the economic, structural, and cultural foundations of the emerging intelligence economy. Taking place…

Wise has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to offer its services in the country. The approvals cover two categories: Stored Value Facilities and Retail Payment Services, Category 2. This development will allow Wise to introduce its products, including Wise Account and Wise Business, to individual and business customers in the UAE. Joyce Lau, Country Manager, Wise UAE, said: “These regulatory approvals mark a significant milestone for Wise in the UAE, and we’re grateful for the CBUAE’s collaborative approach and commitment to fostering financial innovation. We’ll be able to provide people and businesses with all…

Finder Group Ai, an AI-focused investment and technology company, has officially launched at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. Headquartered in Dubai, the firm aims to connect capital, innovation and market execution, facilitating engagement between investors and selected AI start-ups. It focuses on supporting start-ups in AI, data science and digital transformation that are developing technologies with potential industrial impact. The company offers start-ups capital and operational support, early-stage funding, enterprise introductions, board-level guidance, and market strategy support. For investors, Finder Group Ai provides curated access to AI start-ups with resilient business models and technologies, aiming for measurable long-term returns and…

PayTabs Egypt, a provider of payment orchestration infrastructure, has partnered with Valu, a financial technology company in the MENA region, to launch the Valu Merchant App. The app allows merchants in Egypt to accept payments directly via smartphones, without traditional POS hardware. “This partnership is a meaningful step toward financial inclusion,” said Haytham Morsy, Vice President, Commercial & Business Development at PayTabs Egypt. “Together with Valu, we’re putting powerful payment orchestration and mobile commerce tools in the hands of local merchants. With just a smartphone, they can now accept payments quickly and securely, giving their customers a smoother checkout experience…

CPX Holding, an Abu-Dhabi based provider of cyber and physical security solutions, is partnering with Microsoft to support governments in enhancing their cybersecurity in the era of AI. The collaboration aligns with G42 and Microsoft’s broader mission to promote secure and responsible AI deployment. It combines Microsoft’s security operations platform with generative AI and CPX’s cyber defence expertise to strengthen security and operational efficiency for public sector organisations. With increasingly complex cyber threats, public institutions face significant pressure to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data. The partnership aims to deliver AI-powered solutions that improve cyber defences, support digital transformation, and…

Presight has signed a MoU with the Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) in Bahrain to advance digital transformation and promote the use of AI across key sectors, including smart cities and data-driven innovation. NCST’s AI Research and Development team focuses on applied research in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, analysing global trends and developing projects to address regional needs. The Centre also collaborates with regional and international research institutions to strengthen its role as a hub for scientific research and technology development. The partnership will leverage Presight’s experience in large-scale AI implementation to enable knowledge exchange, technical cooperation,…

GITEX GLOBAL 2025 opened on 13 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Marking its 45th year, the event hosts more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors, and delegations from over 180 countries. This year’s edition focuses on the convergence of technology, economic policy, and geopolitics, positioning Dubai as a global meeting point for governments, industry leaders, and innovators. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, opened the discussions under the theme “The Race Beyond Innovation: AI, Geopolitics, and the Global Economic Reset.” He said innovation and economic diversification remain central to the UAE’s national…

Metin Zavrak, CEO of stc pay Bahrain, a subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company (stc), has unveiled plans to expand the mobile wallet’s presence across the Middle East and GCC region. In an exclusive interview with Mubasher on the sidelines of the Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25) event at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), Zavrak said the initiative represents “a bigger push from the whole group.” He noted that further discussions are underway, as the team works actively to scale operations in neighbouring countries and later, North Africa. “Kuwait and Syria are more imminent opportunities. But we are also exploring other countries. We’re…

Osome, a Singapore-based AI-enabled business management platform, has opened an office in Dubai, marking its official entry into the UAE. Dubai is home to more than one million SMEs. While the city presents opportunities, business owners face challenges in handling accounting, tax, and regulatory obligations alongside scaling their companies. “At Osome, we want founders to spend more time on their vision and less time on financial admin,” said Helena Flores, Chief Operating Officer of Osome and Managing Director of Osome UAE. “Our role is twofold: first, to reduce financial and administrative burdens for founders through smart, AI-enabled services backed by…

Foris DAX Middle East, trading as Crypto.com, has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license. Once the final license is granted, the company will be able to provide digital payment services for Dubai Government fees in UAE dirhams or dirham-pegged stablecoins, through the SVF framework. Customers will be able to pay using any digital assets held on the VARA-licensed platform, which will convert assets into UAE dirhams and complete transactions via the Central Bank-licensed digital wallet. Dubai government entities will receive settlements in dirhams or dirham-pegged stablecoins. Eric…

First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR) has entered a strategic partnership with noon payments, a subsidiary of noon, following the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) approval of noon payments as a licensed payment service provider (PSP). The collaboration aims to enhance digital payment services and improve the e-commerce experience through integrated financial solutions. Mariam El Samny, Head of Consumer Banking at FABMISR, said: “Our partnership with noon payments reflects our commitment to supporting fintech players specialising in e-commerce across the Middle East and North Africa. It also reaffirms the bank’s position as a key player in the regional banking sector…

Presight has signed a MoU with the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC). Under the agreement, the Council’s CyberE71 programme will join Presight’s AI-Startup Accelerator as a partner to support the development of secure and responsible AI innovation in the UAE and beyond. The collaboration aims to integrate cybersecurity expertise and mentorship into the accelerator, promoting research, technical enablement, and capacity-building initiatives. Both parties will work with government, academia, and the private sector to embed cybersecurity principles into AI development and strengthen the UAE’s position in digital innovation and resilience. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE…

Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is undergoing significant transformation, with wealth management becoming an essential part of the Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy. To support this shift, Jeel, powered by Riyadh Bank, has signed a MoU with Switzerland-based Synpulse to co-develop a new wealth management platform tailored for Saudi Arabia. The platform will be built on open APIs to enable integration with both local and international wealthtech ecosystems, including custody banks, digital asset providers, and private market platforms. Synpulse will contribute its Swiss wealth management expertise and global best practices, while Jeel will leverage its established ecosystem developed in partnership with Fintech…

Bybit has secured a Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) of the UAE. The license allows Bybit to offer its full range of global products and services in compliance with UAE regulations. It follows the firm’s receipt of In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the SCA in February, with support from the Blockchain Centre in Abu Dhabi. The SCA’s decision reflects confidence in Bybit’s security infrastructure, operational transparency, and compliance standards. It also builds on other regulatory milestones for the company in 2025, including its MiCAR license approval in May and the resumption of full trading…

bu Dhabi Airports and Al Hail Holding have signed a MoU to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for tourism, financial technology, and sustainable mobility. The partnership outlines plans to explore next-generation payment solutions, including stablecoin and digital asset technologies, to enable faster and more secure transactions. Al Hail Holding, together with its group companies Index Exchange and Zand Bank, and technology partner Xare, will lead the project’s implementation. The collaboration includes the design and pilot of a regulated digital wallet for inbound travellers, to be tested at Zayed International Airport. The wallet will allow visitors to make…

Saudi-based fintech provider Sarmad has launched thamar, a platform designed to digitalise customer experience for asset management firms. The solution digitises both customer and employee activities, connects asset managers with distributors, and supports regulatory compliance to streamline operations. It aims to provide a seamless investor experience while enhancing distribution capabilities. Aligned with the Financial Sector Development Program under Vision 2030, thamar supports efforts to improve investment literacy and advance a more inclusive, digital economy. The platform integrates international business practices with modern technology to replace fragmented systems and manual processes with a unified solution tailored to the local market and…

In a collaboration facilitated by Bahrain Fintech Bay, the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB), Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), and Benefit successfully executed instant payments using digital commercial bank money between clients on Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL). Supported by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the pilot marks a significant step in the Kingdom’s efforts to modernise its financial infrastructure. High-value transactions in Bahraini Dinar between Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Bapco Energies were processed and settled instantly in a controlled environment. The trial demonstrated potential benefits such as reduced transaction costs, enhanced transparency and security,…