Fintech News Middle East

15/07/2025

Bahaa Abdul Hadi has been appointed to lead the newly established Iraq Chapter of the MENA Fintech Association.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26868/fintech/mena-fintech-iraq/

MENA Fintech Association launches Iraq Chapter with Bahaa Abdul Hadi as chair, amid rising digital finance and regulatory shifts.

15/07/2025

Qatar Airways has finalised Starlink installation across 54 Boeing 777 aircraft, completing the programme ahead of schedule.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26862/qatar/qatar-airways-starlink-boeing-777-completion/

Qatar Airways completes Starlink on 54 Boeing 777s, becoming largest operator of Starlink-equipped widebody jets.

14/07/2025

TikTok and Visa have partnered to provide UAE small businesses with ad credits and digital resources to support online growth.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26850/fintechdubai/tiktok-visa-uae-smb-ad-credits-2025/

TikTok and Visa launch a UAE initiative offering ad credits and tools to help small businesses grow online starting July 2025.

14/07/2025

UAE tech firms raised US$1.0B in H1 2025, reflecting a sharp rise in late-stage funding despite declines in early and seed-stage investment.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26847/fintechdubai/uae-tech-funding-h1-2025-report/

-with Tracxn NymCard 500 Global

UAE tech funding rose 133% to US$1.0B in H1 2025, led by late-stage deals and strong fintech, retail, and enterprise activity.

11/07/2025

Bahrain leads the GCC in cost efficiency for fintech firms, with a 48% advantage, according to EY.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26840/bahrain/bahrain-cost-effective-financial-services-tech-hub-ey/

Bahrain ranks as the most cost-effective GCC hub for financial services tech firms, with a 48% cost advantage, says EY report.

11/07/2025

Binance has introduced Sharia Earn, a staking product certified to meet Islamic finance principles.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26836/fintech/binance-sharia-compliant-crypto-staking/

Binance launches Sharia Earn, a crypto staking product certified as Sharia compliant, raising questions about its fit with Islamic finance.

11/07/2025

Paying for Emirates flights with crypto could soon be possible.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26829/fintechdubai/emirates-crypto-com-payment-integration/

-with Crypto.com

Emirates signs MoU with Crypto.com to explore Crypto.com Pay integration by 2026, aligning with Dubai’s fintech goals.

11/07/2025

Here are the top stories covered in the latest edition of Fintech News Middle East Newsletter.

View the full version here: https://bit.ly/44zrhkB

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated: https://bit.ly/3U4J0uV

11/07/2025

With a large, young, and increasingly connected population, Iraq stands out as one of the last major untapped economies in the Middle East.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26767/iraq/momentum-builds-to-tap-iraqs-startup-opportunity/

With a large, young, and increasingly connected population, Iraq stands out as one of the last major untapped economies in the Middle East. Yet despite its promising fundamentals, the country’s digital and startup ecosystem remains underdeveloped, fragmented, and largely informal.

11/07/2025

Valu has received initial approval from the Central Bank of Jordan to introduce its BNPL services in the country.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26825/fintechjordan/valu-bnpl-launch-jordan-approval/

Valu receives initial approval to roll out BNPL services in Jordan, marking progress in its regional fintech expansion strategy.

11/07/2025

Google has launched Google Pay in Oman and Lebanon, enabling secure digital payments and card storage through Google Wallet.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26819/oman/google-pay-launch-lebanon-oman/

Google Pay is now available in Lebanon and Oman, enabling secure contactless payments and card storage via Google Wallet.

10/07/2025

Tali Ventures has led an investment in Tarmeez Capital, marking its entry into Saudi Arabia’s growing sukuk and digital debt sector.

Read here: https://fintechnews.ae/26810/fintech-saudi-arabia/tali-ventures-invests-tarmeez-capital-sukuk-growth/

Tali Ventures has invested in Tarmeez Capital to support growth in Saudi Arabia’s sukuk and digital debt markets.