#finance

Dubai financial sector strategy approved_image-for-illustrative-purposes-Getty Images

Dubai Financial Sector Strategy gets nod, here’s what it entails

The strategy will implement 15 transformative programmes over three years, targeting capital markets, asset and wealth management, SME financing, virtual assets, and fintech

FAB issues second $20m blue bond, follows successful debut in Aug

FAB issues second $20m blue bond, follows successful debut in Aug

FAB said its latest Blue Bond reflects growing collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable economic growth in the UAE and beyond

MultiBank strengthens global IB network, pays out $120m in commissions

MultiBank strengthens global IB network, pays out $120m in commissions

MultiBank Group was recognised for its exceptional IB programme at Forex Expo Dubai 2025, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 6–7

DMCC and Vara sign partnership for tokenisation of commodities

Dubai’s DMCC and VARA partner to drive tokenisation of commodities

The initiative builds on DMCC’s existing work in digital commodities, including its gold-backed digital asset offerings via the Tradeflow platform

Astra Tech rebrands PayBy to ‘botim money’, aligns with overall strategy

Astra Tech rebrands PayBy to ‘botim money’, aligns with overall strategy

The rebrand to botim money is key to Astra Tech’s journey to unify its fintech capabilities, deepen AI integration and expand financial inclusion

Wio Bank surpasses Dhs50bn in deposits as digital banking gains ground

Wio Bank surpasses Dhs50bn in deposits as digital banking gains ground

Wio Bank said on Monday it has crossed Dhs50bn ($13.6bn) in customer deposits, less than…

Dr Owi S Ruivivar is the chief portfolio strategist at Bank of Singapore, on Navigating uncertainty: A new approach to portfolio construction

Navigating uncertainty: A new approach to portfolio construction

Amid 2025’s market volatility, a new strategic allocation framework by Bank of Singapore uses robust optimisation, scenario simulations, and tailored alternatives to build resilient, diversified portfolios

DP World and Paypal to collaborate on cross border digital trade payments image courtesy WAM

DP World, PayPal to collaborate on cross-border digital trade payments

DP World said the collaboration combines its global supply chain expertise with PayPal’s payments infrastructure to support international trade and enhance efficiency for businesses

IHC to invest $1bn in India’s Sammaan Capital

Abu Dhabi’s IHC to invest $1bn in India’s Sammaan Capital

Sammaan Capital has provided over $19bn in home loans to more than 680,000 families and extended $9.5bn of mortgage-backed loans to over 100,000 small businesses

Richard Surrency GCCO: Family offices must balance legacy with digital-first investing

Family offices must balance legacy with digital-first investing, says IQ-EQ GCCO

GCCO Richard Surrency on how fund managers in the Gulf are navigating demands for operational excellence, sustainability, and a stronger local presence

ADX lists thematic etf linked to quantum computing image ADX

ADX lists region’s first thematic ETF focused on quantum computing

The listing is part of a broader trend of rapid expansion in the global thematic fund market, which has almost doubled over the last five years to reach $562bn globally

GCC captures $24bn of $1tn global green FDI: Strategy&

GCC captures $24bn of $1tn global green FDI: Strategy&

The UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia invested $132bn abroad in the same period, accounting for 29 outbound and 10 inbound green FDI deals

Jayesh Patel - CEO, Wio Bank

CEO Jayesh Patel on Wio Bank’s rise in UAE’s digital banking space

Patel discusses the strategic thinking behind Wio Bank’s success, its unique approach to serving SMEs and customers, and his vision for the future of banking in the region

Titanium Escrow's CEO on crossing $5bn in transactions, regional M&A activity

Titanium Escrow’s CEO on crossing $5bn in transactions, regional M&A activity

Ibrahim Kamalmaz discusses the firm’s key milestones, regional M&A growth, and evolving corporate payment infrastructure in the Middle East

2 in 3 people in UAE prefer apps for remittances-ahoqs visa study -Getty Images- for illustrative purposes

Shift to digital apps for remittances grows in UAE, Saudi Arabia, shows report

Remittances remain central to how people in the UAE support families abroad, with 49 per cent sending money for humanitarian or family needs

Net proceeds from Sobha's Green sukuk will be directed towards eligible green projects, aligned with ICMA Green Bond Principles and validated by an independent Second Party Opinion from DNV

Sobha Realty raises $750m in inaugural green sukuk, oversubscribed 2.8 times

Regional investors accounted for 56 per cent of allocations and international investors 44 per cent

Middle East M&A activity rises 19% in H1 2025, shows PwC report

Middle East M&A activity rises 19% in H1 ’25, shows PwC report

Domestic and intra-regional transactions are expected to continue leading M&A activity, with mid-sized deals providing the most practical path to growth in transformative sectors

Rothschild & Co expands Dubai wealth management arm with LLB deal Image Liechtensteinische Landesbank_for illustrative purposes

Rothschild & Co expands Dubai wealth management arm with LLB deal

Rothschild & Co will also take over LLB’s existing Dubai office, bringing the total number of staff in its Middle East wealth management arm to around 25

UAE gets OECD transitional qualified status for DMTT_Photo-courtesy-MoF

Tax update: UAE gets OECD transitional qualified status for DMTT

Under the qualified status, the DMTT provides certainty to MNE groups that no foreign tax will be applied to UAE profits, while other jurisdictions will recognise the top-up tax obligations due in the UAE

Emirates NBD sees over Dhs5bn in trades after year of zero-fee local equities offer

Emirates NBD sees over Dhs5bn in trades after year of zero-fee local equities offer

More than 300,000 commission-free trades were executed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Nasdaq Dubai

Zand, Mastercard partner to boost cross-border payment solutions

Zand, Mastercard partner to boost cross-border payment solutions

The partnership will enable Zand to offer seamless, secure and efficient cross-border money transfers to its customers

Bitcoin dips below $90,000 as AI worries dent risk appetite

Bitcoin hits fresh record as Fed easing bets add to tailwinds

Bitcoin’s rally is being powered by growing certainty of Fed rate cuts, sustained institutional buying, and moves by the Trump administration to ease investment in crypto assets

GCC assets under management (AuM) reach $2.2tn in 2024: BCG report

GCC assets under management reach $2.2tn in 2024, shows report

The region’s 9 per cent AuM growth underscores its rising prominence as a hub for institutional and retail capital, says BCG’s Lukasz Rey

MENA IPOs in Q2 Getty Images-for illustrative purposes

MENA IPOs raise $2.5 bn in Q2, Saudi Arabia dominates listings: EY

The UAE saw a single listing, Dubai Residential REIT, which raised $584m on the Dubai Financial Market

Presight, Dow Jones Factiva to develop AI-powered risk intelligence tools

Presight, Dow Jones Factiva to develop AI-powered risk intelligence tools

The companies aim to build predictive systems for sensitive areas of the global financial ecosystem

Mashreq's Norman Tambach on how CFOs drive transparency, accountability

Mashreq’s Norman Tambach on how CFOs drive transparency, accountability

A strong internal control framework relies on five key pillars: control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring, shares the group CFO

Abu Dhabi’s ADX onboards Thndr as first remote retail trading member

Abu Dhabi’s ADX onboards Thndr as first remote retail trading member

In 2024, Thndr recorded more than $13bn in trading value and executed 12 million trades

IHC, RIQ form 10-year alliance, positions Abu Dhabi as key reinsurance hub

IHC, RIQ form 10-year alliance, positions Abu Dhabi as key reinsurance hub

RIQ will deliver AI-native risk transfer solutions tailored to IHC and its group companies

Interest rates: US Fed, CBUAE maintain rates

Interest rates: US Fed, CBUAE maintain rates

CBUAE took the decision following the US Fed’s announcement to keep the interest rate on reserve balances (IORB) unchanged

Arada raises $450m in oversubscribed sukuk issuance

Proceeds from the issuance will partly fund a tender offer of up to $100m for Arada’s outstanding 2027 Sukuk, with the remainder earmarked for general corporate purposes