Huru, a UAE-based fintech company licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), has entered the market with the aim of serving the country’s unbanked and underbanked communities through a comprehensive financial management app. The company seeks to address long-standing gaps in access to essential financial services and promote financial inclusion. The platform integrates payments, remittance, and savings features in a single application. With a valid Emirates ID, users can open a zero-balance IBAN account within minutes, without minimum balance requirements or hidden fees, to receive their salaries. Each user is provided with a Visa ATM card, which includes…

Thunes, a cross-border payments network, has signed a MoU with Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) at SIBOS 2025 to establish a strategic partnership. The collaboration will enable BSF customers and businesses to make international money transfers with real-time processing and improved accessibility. Through the alliance, BSF account holders will be able to send funds to accounts and wallets globally. The move represents a step in Saudi Arabia’s financial development, as banks explore alternatives to traditional transfer methods. “By leveraging Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network, we are now able to offer faster, more reliable, and more accessible remittance services. This alliance underscores…

QNB Group has received license approval from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to establish a digital-first banking entity, ezbank, in partnership with Ajlan & Bros. Holding. The new entity will have a capital of SAR 2.5 billion. Through ezbank, QNB aims to introduce a customer-focused banking model built on innovation, efficiency, and accessibility. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider efforts to reshape the banking landscape across its network, which spans more than 28 countries on three continents. Ezbank will provide a digital-first banking experience designed to be simple, inclusive, and secure, offering tailored solutions for young people and…

Emirates and flydubai have signed two MoUs with Dubai Finance (DOF) to support the emirate’s digital payment initiatives and promote the Dubai Cashless Strategy among international visitors. With more than 18.7 million tourists visiting Dubai in 2024, cash-dependent travellers remain a significant opportunity for digital payment adoption. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Emirates’ strategic partnership with DOF represents a significant opportunity to accelerate digital payment adoption across our tourism ecosystem. By leveraging our combined expertise and infrastructure, we’re supporting Dubai’s cashless vision and directly fuelling D33 Agenda ambitions by enabling the business case for digital-first…

Cuzdan, one of Azerbaijan’s emerging financial institutions, has announced the launch of its new nationwide payment orchestration platform, developed in collaboration with PayTabs. Powered by PayTabs’ payment orchestration infrastructure, the platform aims to enhance the country’s payments landscape by enabling faster, more secure, and more convenient transactions for merchants and consumers. The initiative marks a significant step in Cuzdan’s efforts to strengthen Azerbaijan’s financial services ecosystem. By combining its established corporate network in manufacturing, retail, and consumer finance with PayTabs’ technology, Cuzdan seeks to promote digital inclusion and economic growth across the country. Through the platform, merchants can onboard quickly,…

Startup investment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reached a record high in September 2025, surging to US$3.5 billion across 74 deals, according to data from Wamda. This marks a remarkable 914% month-on-month and 1105% year-on-year increase, representing a sharp rebound from August’s US$337.5 million. Even after excluding the US$2.6 billion in debt financing, September still stands out as one of the region’s strongest months, with equity funding alone rising 147% month-on-month and 194% year-on-year. Saudi Arabia led the region’s momentum, driven by several large-scale fintech transactions including Tamara’s US$2.4 billion debt facility, Hala’s US$157 million Series B,…

DP World, a Dubai-based global logistics and port operator, has signed a MoU with PayPal to develop a digital payments initiative aimed at streamlining cross-border trade. The agreement could allow transactions to be completed in minutes, rather than taking up to a week, and forms part of DP World’s efforts to create a secure and scalable system for digital payments. The initiative will enable international merchants, shippers, exporters, importers, and marketplaces to complete cross-border payments with increased transparency, reduced costs, and faster settlement times. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, said: “In logistics, speed and transparency…

Binance has announced the launch of The Blockchain 100, an annual awards initiative recognising creators who contribute to blockchain education, innovation, and community engagement. The Blockchain 100 will highlight individuals and groups making significant contributions to the blockchain sector through educational content, research, market analysis, and community building. A total of 100 creators will be recognised across seven categories: industry advocates, independent researchers, traders, community builders, video and live creators, crypto press, and rising stars. Nominees must primarily focus on educational or inspirational crypto-related content, be public-facing individuals without major controversies, and have at least 10,000 followers on one major…

Tribe Payments, a London-based fintech firm specialising in issuer and acquirer processing, has opened a new office in Dubai as part of its expansion into the Middle East. The company, founded in London in 2018, employs more than 200 people across Europe, with technology hubs in Kaunas, Lithuania, and Singapore. The Dubai office, located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), follows the opening of Tribe’s Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore last year. Aurangzaib Khan, who has held senior positions at Amazon Payments Services, Mastercard, Visa, MCB Bank and Bank Alfalah, will lead operations in the Middle East and Africa as…

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) have signed a bilateral currency swap agreement between the UAE dirham (AED) and the Turkish lira (TRY), alongside two MoUs. The swap agreement, valued at AED 18 billion and TRY 198 billion, is intended to support bilateral trade by providing local currency liquidity and facilitating settlement of cross-border transactions. The first MoU establishes a framework for the use of AED and TRY in cross-border payments, with the aim of developing the foreign exchange market, facilitating trade and remittances, and promoting financial stability. It…

Ignyte, a Dubai-based digital start-up ecosystem, has announced a collaboration with Binance to advance blockchain innovation across MENA. The partnership will establish a blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation platform aimed at supporting adoption, providing resources for entrepreneurs, and encouraging practical applications of the technology. It will also contribute to the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) wider innovation initiatives, which support the city’s position as a centre for finance, technology, and innovation. The collaboration will begin with a competitive hackathon bringing together developers, entrepreneurs, and industry specialists from MENA and beyond. Participants will address challenges such as digital asset infrastructure and real-world…

Emirates Islamic has partnered with Amazon UAE and Mastercard to launch the first Amazon-branded credit card in the Middle East and North Africa. The card, which will be available exclusively in the UAE, is designed to provide lifestyle-related benefits and flexible payment options in line with the country’s growing digital retail sector. The Amazon Emirates Islamic Mastercard Credit Card will be offered without annual fees and allows customers to earn up to 6% in value back on purchases from Amazon.ae and up to 2.5% on spending elsewhere. Rewards are credited instantly and can be redeemed against future Amazon.ae purchases. The…

Global payments firm Nium and Emirates NBD are stepping up their cross-border payments push in the MENAT region, widening access to real-time transfers in the UAE and preparing for a launch in Saudi Arabia. The partnership, first announced in 2024, has now been extended to Emirates Islamic Bank, broadening access to real-time payouts across the UAE. Emirates NBD also confirmed it is preparing to roll out the service in Saudi Arabia through Emirates NBD Bank KSA, subject to regulatory approval from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The UAE remains one of the world’s largest remittance hubs, with outbound flows exceeding…

Global financial platform Airwallex is fast-tracking its expansion in the Middle East, securing key licences, setting up new operations and striking regional partnerships. In the United Arab Emirates, the company has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE for Stored Value Facilities and Retail Payment Services (Category II) licences. This includes approval for a Stored Value Facilities wallet that will support all businesses, including small and medium-sized firms. The licences will enable Airwallex to offer multi-currency accounts, global transfers, payment acceptance and corporate cards in the UAE. The company said it is increasing its office presence and…

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, a national campaign to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global centre for entrepreneurship and innovation. The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council. It brings together more than 50 incubators, accelerators, and strategic partners from both the public and private sectors. The campaign seeks to encourage Emirati entrepreneurship, support the growth of SMEs, and contribute to economic diversification. Sheikh Mohammed bin…

PayPal has announced plans to invest US$100 million across the Middle East and Africa to support entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and contribute to economic growth in the region’s digital commerce sector. The funds will be directed through a combination of minority investments, acquisitions, PayPal Ventures initiatives, staffing, and technology deployments. According to the company, the aim is to help local businesses expand, create opportunities for innovators, and increase access to digital services for communities and consumers. “The Middle East and Africa are home to some of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving businesses in the world,” said Alex Chriss, President and…

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia has continued to strengthen the regulatory framework for fintech development, confirming that 68 experimental permits had been issued by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Of these, 50 companies are registered under the CMA’s Fintech Lab, with 36 currently in operation. The Fintech Lab was launched as a controlled setting for testing financial products and services. It allows domestic and international firms to pilot solutions under regulatory supervision, with particular focus on securities crowdfunding, robo-advisory, digital trading platforms, and emerging technologies such as social trading and AI-driven advisory tools. Among…

Tipalti, an Israeli AI-powered platform for finance automation, has secured US$200 million in growth financing from long-standing partner Hercules Capital.. The funding will support Tipalti’s continued investment in AI, product development, and international expansion. Following its acquisition of AI-native treasury automation startup Statement, Tipalti has introduced an updated version of Tipalti AI, featuring more advanced, context-aware AI agents. Integrated across its finance automation solutions, the AI agents assist finance teams in improving efficiency, generating insights, and prioritising strategic work. “We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Tipalti at such an exciting stage of their growth journey,” said Catherine…

MNT-Halan, a fintech platform in Egypt, has introduced a secured lending solution offered by a non-banking financial institution in Egypt. The service allows customers to access up to 80% of their investments in funds instantly through a fully digital process on the Halan App. The initiative represents a notable development in Egypt’s non-banking financial sector, providing customers with liquidity without affecting the growth of their investments. Through an end-to-end digital experience, from onboarding and investing to activating a credit limit, customers can obtain an instant credit limit of up to EGP 500,000 on their Halan Card while continuing to earn…

Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector is maintaining its growth momentum, marked by an expanding startup ecosystem, a rising talent pool, and continued strong capital inflows, according to Fintech Saudi’s annual fintech report. Released last week and produced with the support of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the Capital Market Authority (CMA), and the Insurance Authority (IA), the report reviews the sector’s performance in 2024, showing that Saudi Arabia is exceeding its mid-term fintech targets. According to the report, Saudi Arabia is now home to 261 fintech companies, up 21% from 216 in 2025 and 13% above the target of 230 companies…