The Bank’s 2026 Global Market Outlook assesses elevated equity market valuations driven by the AI boom, highlights the Gulf’s growing role in sustaining AI valuations and private market deal flow, and outlines key themes shaping global markets for investors. Dubai – Standard Chartered (“the Bank”) Wealth Solutions Chief Investment Office (CIO) released its Global Market Outlook […]
MANAMA, BAHRAIN – Flooss, Bahrain’s leading Sharia-compliant digital consumer financing platform, has secured a $22 million credit facility, structured by Shorooq, a leading Abu Dhabi-headquartered investment firm regulated by the FSRA as a Fund Manager. This strategic investment is designed to fuel Flooss’s growth and scale its instant, shariah-compliant lending solutions to the region’s rapidly growing, digitally […]
Abu Dhabi–based fintech startup Mal, founded by Abdallah Abu-Sheikh, has raised $230 million in a seed funding round, marking the largest seed-stage investment ever recorded in the MENA region. The round was led by BlueFive Capital, an investment firm founded in 2023 by former Investcorp executive Hazem Ben-Gacem. BlueFive Capital manages more than $4 billion […]
Dubai, united Arab Emirates: botim money, botim’s financial services arm serving millions of users in the UAE and beyond, announced a strategic collaboration with Mastercard to expand its global remittance capabilities, powered by Mastercard Move. The integration enables botim money users to send money from the UAE to over 150 countries, with payouts delivered to bank account, mobile […]
Phaze Ventures today announced our participation in eMushrif’s $7.5 million funding round, backing the team again as they accelerate their next phase of growth. The round was led by Jasoor Ventures and also saw participation from Annex Investment, Ithca Group, IDO Investment, and a number of other prominent private investors. The company currently serves more than 120,000 students across public and private schools […]
Muscat: Thawani Technologies LLC, Oman’s first Central Bank of Oman (CBO) licensed payment service provider (PSP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Monak to establish a collaboration framework for integrated digital and financial technology solutions that can support public- and private-sector initiatives across the Sultanate. Under the MoU, Thawani and Monak will explore […]
Newly established Asset Management business launches 10 funds on Securities & Commodities Authority of the United Arab Emirates widening retail and institutional investor choices. HSBC today announced the launch of its new UAE asset management business and the registration of ten new onshore investment funds with the Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) of the UAE, […]
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent banking, financial services, and markets regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has today brought into force its updated regulatory framework for Crypto Tokens in DIFC. The enhanced rules strengthen the DFSA’s regime, provide greater clarity for market participants, and support the development of a safe, […]
Dubai, UAE — At the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Wio Bank, in partnership with Visa, announced the launch of Wio Creators, the UAE’s first dedicated banking solution tailored specifically for content creators and digital entrepreneurs. The new offering reflects the rapid growth of the creator economy and aims to address the unique financial needs of […]
AmwalPay has announced a strategic partnership with Bank Nizwa, reflecting a broader shift in how banks approach the enablement of digital payment services within the Sultanate of Oman. Under this partnership, AmwalPay enables Bank Nizwa to offer digital payment services to its merchants under the bank’s own brand, identity, and commercial framework. Bank Nizwa retains […]