Dubai royal’s JV launches crypto assets backed by diamonds

Al Kasir Group claims to be backed by a Dubai royal family member

Dubai’s Abraaj hires Deloitte for business review

Abraaj has been trying to stem the fallout from a row with four of its investors

Dubai’s Alibabacoin says Alibaba has no monopoly on name

Alibabacoin said it has not been trying to piggyback off the Alibaba name

Saudi Arabia beats Qatar to market with $11bn bond issue

Saudi Arabia is planning to issue seven-year, 12-year and 31-year notes

Dubai’s Abraaj hires Houlihan Lokey for advice after dispute

Abraaj has denied money was misused in a $1bn healthcare fund

Islamic scholars debate validity of cryptocurrencies

The issue of religious permissibility could help determine whether Islamic financial firms can invest in cryptocurrencies

Saudi exchange counting on foreign funds to aid Aramco IPO

If Saudi officials are relying on foreign fund inflows for Aramco they may be tempted to wait until early 2019

UK injunction restricts Dana Gas dividends in $700m sukuk dispute

The injunction is the latest salvo in a complex legal battle in the UAE and Britain

Alibaba files lawsuit against Dubai firm behind ‘Alibabacoin’

Alibaba accused Alibabacoin of using its “single-minded focus to capitalise on plaintiff’s reputation for success”

UAE’s Tabarak given more time to close United Arab Bank stake buy

An exclusivity agreement granted to the private equity firm to finalise the purchase expired on Monday

Cashing out? The future of payments

As digital payments continue to close the gap on cash across the GCC, what is the future of payments in the region?

UAE money exchange houses ordered to raise standards by regulator

The UAE’s huge expatriate workforce and growing business and tourism sectors have made it a global centre for exchanging foreign currencies

Dubai-based Noor Bank plans roadshows next week for sukuk

Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered are arranging the issue, which will likely have a five year duration, according to sources

WGC, IIFM to develop standards for gold-based Islamic contracts

Gold had traditionally been classified as a currency in Islamic finance, confining its use to spot transactions

UAE’s Mubadala, Greece’s Taneo to invest EUR400m in Greece

Each will invest EUR200m in businesses with growth potential across key sectors in Greece

Abraaj may sell part of investment management business, say sources

The private equity firm is said to be in talks with Abu Dhabi Financial Group and international financial companies

UAE’s Dana Gas plans cash dividend despite $700m sukuk dispute

The dividend would total about $95m, equivalent to 5 per cent of capital

VAT: What are the regulatory challenges for businesses in UAE, Saudi?

Most local businesses do not have VAT capabilities already built into their IT systems

Emirates NBD approves 40% dividend

Dubai’s Emirates NBD closes in on Turkey’s Denizbank despite Gulf row

Turkish relations with the Gulf states have been strained since Ankara stood by Qatar

UAE banks must justify interbank rates under new system

The new system encourages banks to consider a wider range of trades and counterparties when submitting quotes

Saudi rolls out online payment service

Holders of Mada cards will be able to make digital purchases from early April

UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank gets approval for three Saudi branches

The bank said it had applied for a Saudi commercial licence last month

Dubai Investments to launch sharia-compliant Arkan Bank

Arkan Bank will have an authorised share capital of $500m

First Abu Dhabi Bank denies it manipulated Qatari riyal

A law firm working for the central bank of Qatar asked US regulators to investigate FAB’s US subsidiary

Dubai airline Emirates set to close $600m sukuk

The proceeds from the issuance will be used for aircraft financing and working capital

Saudi banks to see 4% lending growth in 2018 – Moody’s

The kingdom’s economy is expected to return to growth this year

Different Arab money

GCC states plan company for money transfers between members

All six member countries including Qatar have agreed to contribute initial capital

Expat remittances from the UAE grow 2.2% to $44.7bn in 2017

India emerged as the top receiving country for remittances in Q4

UK officials told that Saudi Aramco IPO unlikely until 2019

The Saudi government had targeted a market listing by the second half of 2018

Bahrain’s Investcorp to establish $100m fund for Oman’s pension funds

The Opportunities Fund will make private equity investments in the US and Europe