Money20/20 Middle East began today at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, marking a major step in the kingdom’s ambition to cement its role as a global fintech hub under Vision 2030. The event will run until September 17.

The event follows the success of 24 Fintech in September 2024, which drew 37,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, and more than 350 investors. The new edition is nearly double in scale, with over 450 brands, 600 investors, and upwards of 45,000 participants.

Anchored by the theme “Where Money Does Business”, the three-day conference features a high-profile speaker line-up including US CFTC acting chair Caroline D Pham; Ant International president Douglas Feagin; Standard Chartered’s chief data officer Dr Mohammed Rahim; and SWIFT chief innovation officer Tom Zschach.

Sessions across seven stages will cover AI in finance, embedded finance, regulatory harmonisation, and inclusive innovation.

Highlights include Venturescape, a pre-event platform for venture capital deal-making, and the MoneySurge20/20 Pitch Competition, offering $400,000 in equity-free funding for startups.

What participants and attendees have to say about Money20/20

For many, Money20/20 is more than just another fintech gathering. Participants describe it as a rare forum where global players and regional leaders meet on equal footing. Founders view it as a chance to secure capital and partnerships, while banks and regulators see an opportunity to shape the future of finance at a time when policy and innovation are converging in the kingdom and wider Gulf.

We spoke to several attendees, including speakers, about the importance of the event and the opportunities it creates. Their perspectives highlight the different forces shaping the fintech ecosystem — from capital structures and regulation to inclusivity and savings culture — and why Riyadh has become the stage for these conversations. Here are excerpts from discussions.

Armineh Baghoomian, MD and head of EMEA, and co-head of Global Fintech at Partners for Growth, said: “At Money20/20 Middle East, the conversation around funding choices for fintechs is more critical than ever. In markets like Saudi Arabia, equity can be overly dilutive, and commercial banks often lack the flexibility to finance fast-evolving businesses effectively. Growth debt fills that gap, providing a flexible, founder-friendly alternative that enables companies to scale strategically into new markets, invest in talent, or accelerate product development, without giving away too much ownership too soon. At Partners for Growth, we’ve pioneered growth debt globally for over two decades and are proud to bring that expertise to the GCC. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 and the Financial Sector Development Program are fueling fintech innovation at pace, and debt is an essential part of the funding landscape. Partners for Growth was one of the first to introduce structured facilities for fintech in the region, including Sharia-compliant structures, and we have already committed close to $400m to support innovative companies across the GCC.

“I look forward to speaking on the ‘Capital Crossroads: When Should Fintechs Choose Equity, Debt or Credit’ panel to dig into the funding choices fintech founders face. The right capital structure can be the difference between incremental progress and transformative growth, and growth debt is increasingly at the heart of that decision.”

Hisham Al-Falih, co-founder and CEO of Lean Technologies, said: “Money20/20 comes at a time when fintech in the Middle East is moving from the sidelines to the very centre of economic transformation. In Saudi Arabia, the support of Vision 2030 and forward-thinking regulators has created the conditions for this shift, where real-time payments, open financial access, and data-driven innovation are becoming the foundations of a modern economy.

“At Lean, we are building the infrastructure behind this change. It’s what allows the likes of Tabby to extend credit to thousands of consumers traditional lenders overlooked, and what will soon enable freelancers, long excluded from traditional banking, to access the capital they need to grow. Together, these developments signal a financial system being rebuilt for the realities of a digital, inclusive economy, and this is only the beginning of what’s possible for the next generation of financial innovation across MENA.”

Hasan Haider, managing partner, +VC, said: “Money 20/20 is a reminder of how fast fintech is evolving and how much momentum is flowing into the GCC, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Financial Sector Development Program. The conversations around open banking, embedded finance, AI, and regulation speak directly to the realities early-stage founders face. Open banking is unlocking new competition, embedded finance is reshaping customer journeys, AI is moving from hype to practical tools, and regulators are accelerating frameworks for growth. These shifts create opportunity, but for founders, raising capital at this stage remains one of the biggest pain points. Too often it is slow, complex, and lacking in meaningful support.

“At +VC, we exist to change that. We invest early, with transparent terms and rapid decisions, and then partner deeply with founders through mentorship, community, and capital access. This approach has already supported fintech innovators such as Capifly in Saudi Arabia with Sharia-compliant venture finance, Holo in the UAE digitising mortgages, and Mantas building parametric insurance for cloud outages. Our vision is clear: to be the partner of choice for high-growth founders who can execute in these fast-moving spaces. Saudi fintech is just beginning, and we are committed to helping build its category-defining companies.”

Naif AbuSaida, founder of Hakbah, shared, “The Middle East’s fintech sector is poised for significant innovation and growth, as the region strengthens its position as a global financial services hub. In H1 2025 alone, fintech funding tripled YoY to $596m, representing 39 per cent of total capital secured across MENA. Capitalising on this momentum, Money20/20 Middle East is showcasing what the next decade of fintech in the Middle East looks like; the positive impact of public-private partnerships and collaboration; and how innovation in financial services is poised to drive economic growth on a global scale and further contribute to the region’s economic diversification.

“We are delighted to be speaking at the event to illustrate the transformative impact of AI and technology on the region’s savings industry. With more than 1.3 million registered users – 70 per cent of whom are under the age of 30 – there is clear evidence of strong demand for digital solutions that help to transform people’s savings habits. This momentum is helping to build, enable, and empower a new, fully inclusive savings culture in Saudi Arabia, in line with the National Household Savings and Financial Literacy strategy.”

beIN MEDIA GROUP, the global sports and entertainment media networks, has officially launched its new subscription service, beIN STREAM, in the United Arab Emirates.

beIN STREAM offers UAE audiences seamless access to premium sports and entertainment content via a Wi-Fi-enabled streaming device that connects directly to any smart TV. Built for convenience and flexibility, the service delivers live and on-demand viewing experiences without long-term commitments.

Subscribers can enjoy exclusive beIN SPORTS coverage, including the UEFA Champions League, tennis Grand Slams, and Formula 1, alongside blockbuster films and top entertainment channels. Each subscription also comes with complimentary access to the beIN CONNECT app, allowing users to stream content anytime, anywhere, across multiple devices.

Read: beIN-backed ACE shuts down Streameast, the world’s largest sports piracy network

The beIN STREAM device is now available across the UAE at beIN SHOPS in Yas Mall (Abu Dhabi) and Al Manar Mall (Ras Al Khaimah), through authorised distributors, and online via Amazon.ae, Virgin Megastore, and Noon.

The launch underscores beIN’s commitment to expanding its digital services and making world-class content more flexible and accessible to diverse audiences in the region.

For more details, visit: bein.com/beinstream

Financial institutions across the Middle East are facing a new wave of digital fraud, with synthetic identities and AI-powered deepfakes testing the resilience of traditional verification processes. According to Rob Woods, director, fraud and identity, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, the region’s unique demographic and regulatory environment creates both opportunity and vulnerability.

Why the Middle East is a prime target

“The region’s broad diversity of international expatriates living, working and traveling creates a range of identity verification requirements. This complexity allows fraudsters to exploit uncommon identity types to bypass verification processes,” Woods explains. With millions of people moving through the region every year, verification systems can become fragmented, leaving space for fraudsters to innovate.

Advances in generative AI have only sharpened the threat. “Deepfake technology has advanced significantly in the past two to three years thanks in large part to AI. Fraudsters now use these widely accessible consumer tools to create real-time overlaying deepfakes in minutes,” says Woods. The sophistication of these fakes means “humans increasingly struggle to differentiate between authentic and fake videos or images.”

Traditional security controls such as manual reviews or static document checks are no longer sufficient. “AI-powered technology designed to detect deepfakes provides the most effective solution against AI-generated fraud,” Woods stresses.

For banks, the shift to digital-first customer onboarding is a double-edged sword: it enables scale and convenience but also opens the door to AI-enabled synthetic identities. “Detecting legitimate customers in digital onboarding has become progressively more challenging due to high-quality AI-generated deepfakes and the prolific use of synthetic identities,” Woods notes.

He adds that relying heavily on manual processes creates bottlenecks and worsens customer experience. Instead, “banks can use machine learning and deep neural networks to quickly adapt to new fraud tactics. Advanced technological solutions provide the most reliable detection against these attacks.”

Behavioural biometrics as a differentiator

Among the emerging solutions, behavioural intelligence is proving particularly effective. “To detect fraud, behavioural intelligence analyses device signals, such as how a person has historically typed or swiped on a device versus how they are attempting to interact today,” Woods explains.

By identifying subtle differences in how a genuine user engages with their device, banks can spot red flags early. “When combined with deepfake detection, layers of intelligence help differentiate genuine users from synthetic ones,” he adds.

Despite these technological advances, a lack of systemic collaboration remains a weakness in the region. “Fraud prevention is hampered by the lack of a unified online identity system and inconsistent privacy regulations across countries. Companies often hesitate to share information, citing competitive concerns,” says Woods.

He highlights positive momentum in the UAE, where banks are already collaborating within a digital community to exchange fraud intelligence. “Adopting privacy-by-design principles enables fraud intelligence sharing through unique digital identities,” he explains. “Risk insights from data consortiums also play a key role.”

Not all institutions can deploy large-scale, custom fraud detection systems. Smaller banks and fintechs often struggle with budget and resource constraints. But Woods believes scalability is possible through collaboration. “Organisations of any size can join a global community of like-minded entities to share knowledge and combat fraud as a network,” he says.

Through platforms such as LexisNexis Risk Solutions, “tier-one banks, small lenders and fintechs” can tap into shared fraud intelligence and continuous machine learning updates. “An AI-powered solution that enables document authentication and biometric verification helps organisations confidently approve trusted transactions while detecting deepfakes and forged documents,” Woods explains.

The case for regional cooperation

With fraud rings now operating like professional networks, the region needs an equally networked response. “Fraud rings today operate like corporations. They are highly matrixed and networked with one another. What’s the best way to fight a network? The answer is a network that shares risk insights,” Woods argues.

Here, regulators and law enforcement play a pivotal role. “Fraud risk insights become more effective when regulators and law enforcement actively engage by sharing intelligence that leads to arrests and convictions,” he says. Ensuring compliance with privacy laws while enabling secure intelligence exchange will be crucial for long-term resilience.

Woods emphasises that effective fraud prevention cannot come at the cost of user experience. “Fraud prevention and a great customer experience are both business-critical. Both can be achieved at the same time,” he notes.

Read: UAE cyber body warns of rising breaches linked to public wi‑fi use

The solution lies in a risk-based, intelligence-driven approach. “Adding too many layers of authentication or low-tolerance fraud interventions may reduce fraud but risks alienating genuine users. By leveraging frictionless intelligence and network-based decisioning behind the user journey, banks can improve the experience for legitimate customers while applying risk-based authentication to higher-risk transactions.”

The road ahead: new fraud typologies

Looking ahead, Woods expects the fraud landscape in the Middle East to evolve further. “Middle East banks will see a continued rise in authorised push payment fraud and scams, including impersonation and purchase scams,” he says.

“As banks in the GCC improve fraud and authentication controls, fraudsters may involve customers in fraudulent activities to disguise their operations,” Woods warns. To stay ahead, institutions must adopt adaptive, AI-driven tools capable of detecting emerging fraud tactics in real time.

Middle East banks must shift from reactive to proactive defence strategies. Technology, intelligence-sharing, and regulatory alignment will be key to building resilience.

ALEC Holdings, a Dubai-based engineering and construction group, said on Monday it plans to list 20 per cent of its share capital on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) through an initial public offering (IPO).

The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the company’s sole shareholder, will sell one billion shares in the offering, which opens on September 23 and closes on September 30.

ICD retains the right to amend the size of the offering before the end of the subscription period, subject to laws and approval from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

Shares are expected to begin trading on or around October 15 under the ticker “ALEC”.

The Internal Shariah Supervision Committee of Emirates NBD Bank has confirmed that the offering is compliant with Shariah principles.

The IPO will be open to individual subscribers, professional investors outside the United States, and eligible employees of ALEC and ICD.

ICD will hold 80 per cent of ALEC’s issued share capital after the IPO, assuming all shares are sold.

ALEC, founded in 1999 and acquired by ICD in 2017, is active in large-scale, complex and iconic construction and energy projects across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

It has built projects including One Za’abeel in Dubai, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Dubai Hills Mall.

Alec Holdings’ reports H1 revenue of Dhs5.4bn

The company reported revenue of Dhs8.1bn in 2024, up from Dhs6.3bn in 2023. Its revenue hit Dhs5.4bn in H1 2025.

Net income reached Dhs363m in 2024, compared to Dhs238m in 2023. Its backlog stood at Dhs35.4bn as of June 30.

ALEC said it intends to pay a cash dividend of Dhs200m in April 2026 and Dhs500m for the 2026 financial year, payable in October 2026 and April 2027. Thereafter, it expects to pay dividends semi-annually, with a minimum payout ratio of 50 per cent of net profit.

Chairman Hussain Nasser Lootah said: “This IPO is a natural next step in ALEC’s journey. Over the past two and a half decades, we have built a strong reputation as a trusted regional leader… We enter the public markets from a position of strength.”

CEO Barry Lewis said the IPO reflects ALEC’s growth and opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. “Our strategy is clear and focused: expand our UAE leadership… and target high-profile Saudi giga-projects that match our expertise,” he said.

Emirates NBD Capital and J.P. Morgan are joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and EFG-Hermes are joint bookrunners, while Moelis & Company UK LLP DIFC Branch is independent financial adviser.

Engel & Völkers Middle East, a provider of real estate services, has identified a notable shift in Dubai’s residential property market.

Increasing numbers of tenants, particularly families and young professionals, are transitioning to homeownership, moving away from the rental cycle to secure long-term financial stability and lifestyle benefits.

Read more-Buying or renting in Dubai? The 2025 market guide you can’t ignore

This behavioural shift is supported by hard data: secondary market sales rose by 22 per cent in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The trend reflects growing confidence among residents who are increasingly viewing Dubai not just as a temporary home, but as a permanent base for family and business life.

“For many tenants, ownership is no longer aspirational; it’s becoming the preferred choice for long-term security and value creation,” said Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Völkers Middle East.

Dubai defies global slowdown

As global real estate markets face slowdowns, Dubai’s property sector continues to chart a divergent course. Market resilience is being driven by strategic government policy, robust infrastructure, and forward-looking economic diversification. Investor-friendly regulations, tax efficiency, and a secure business climate continue to attract capital from around the globe.

“Dubai continues to attract global capital through its investor-friendly environment, safe and stable governance, and dynamic economic diversification,” noted Mahdi Amjad, founder and executive chairman of Omniyat Group. “We see the growing appetite for design-led, experiential living of world-class standards, something Dubai delivers unlike any other city.”

Projects like Lumena by Omniyat, located on Sheikh Zayed Road and at the gateway to Business Bay, are a testament to this evolving demand. Global investors are increasingly drawn to lifestyle-focused real estate, blending wellness, design, and work into seamless urban experiences.

Dubai’s unique edge lies in its blend of large-scale ambition and clear regulatory frameworks, positioning it far ahead of many global cities in real estate innovation.

“It’s a place where ambitious ultra-luxury projects are underpinned by smart urban planning and regulatory clarity,” added Amjad. “From a developer’s lens, what sets Dubai apart is its ability to fuse lifestyle with investment. At OMNIYAT, we’ve been able to collaborate with global creative talents, creating living experiences that simply don’t exist elsewhere.”

August market data highlights strong demand

August 2025 marked a major milestone for Dubai’s residential market, with 17,879 transactions totaling Dhs42.4 billion. This reflects a 17 per cent increase in transaction volume and a 12 per cent rise in value year-on-year, according to Engel & Völkers.

Off-plan sales dominated the market, rising 25 per cent year-on-year and accounting for nearly 75 per cent of all transactions. Meanwhile, the secondary market maintained strong momentum, driven primarily by end-user demand.

The market showed strong appetite for larger properties. Sales of four-bedroom homes rose by 70 per cent, while transactions involving five-bedroom or larger properties surged 63 per cent over the past year.

Price growth remains robust

Dubai’s property prices continued their upward trajectory in August. Data from Property Monitor shows the average price reaching Dhs1,664 per square foot, up 16.3 per cent compared to last year.

Lifestyle-centric villa communities have seen the most significant gains:

• Victory Heights: +37.0 per cent
• Dubai Hills Estate: +26.0 per cent
• Arabian Ranches: +23.2 per cent

Apartments also saw notable appreciation in:

• Jumeirah Village Triangle: +29.3 per cent
• Jumeirah Village Circle: +17.0 per cent

Global yields, local advantage

Dubai’s rental yields continue to outperform those in other prime cities globally. In August, gross yields stood at:

• 6.76 per cent overall
• 7.12 per cent for apartments
• 4.92 per cent for villas

These figures remain comfortably above those of global hubs like London (3–5 per cent), Singapore (3–4 per cent), and New York (5–7 per cent). The strength of Dubai’s yields is underpinned by population growth, a surge in business formations, and limited availability of premium rental stock.

Although leasing volumes declined 4 per cent year-to-date, with new contracts falling 14 per cent and renewals up 2.6 per cent, the data points to a larger trend: a growing preference for ownership, particularly in the luxury segment.

The number of large villa leases has dropped in double digits, highlighting that families are increasingly moving toward purchasing rather than renting, especially in premium communities.

Demand remains international and diverse

Dubai continues to be a magnet for international investment. Buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia remain active, particularly in the off-plan market. Indian, British, German, Egyptian, and Chinese investors are especially prominent in recent activity.

Residents, however, are the main drivers of the booming resale market. Mortgages play a key role in enabling this shift, with competitive loan-to-value ratios of 70–80 per cent and interest rates hovering around 3.9 per cent. Flexible developer-backed payment plans and cash transactions are further fueling the off-plan segment.

“Dubai’s market today is being fueled by a dual dynamic: strong global investment flows into off-plan projects and a clear shift among residents toward homeownership,” said Hadi. “August’s activity reflects both the city’s international appeal and the growing number of long-term residents putting down roots.”

A future focused on long-term value

Looking ahead to the final quarter of 2025, Engel & Völkers anticipates continued momentum in both off-plan and resale markets. Developers are likely to remain aggressive with launches and incentives, while the resale segment will benefit from population growth, end-user demand, and accessible mortgage financing.

“Dubai’s property market is no longer just about short-term investment cycles. It is increasingly about residents choosing to establish roots here, buying homes for security, lifestyle, and long-term value creation. This shift is set to define the next phase of the city’s real estate story,” Hadi concluded.

Amjad agrees: “The market will move from volume to value. We anticipate sustained demand in the ultra-luxury segment, driven by global citizens seeking exceptional lifestyles, design, and a sense of belonging. At OMNIYAT, we’ll continue to respond to this evolution by shaping spaces that blend architecture, art, and hospitality into a new paradigm of urban living.”