Middle East

The GCC and broader Middle East.

AI & ML

Fintech

Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 Explores AI, Mobility and Sustainab

Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 highlighted AI, smart mobility, sustainable construction, and partnerships shaping future urban development.

The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 continued on Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), shifting focus from city-scale ambition to the technologies, frameworks, and investment models shaping the next generation of urban development.

Disrupts Editorial Team · 21 May 2026

AI & ML

FAB Hosts AI Agentathon with Presight and Microsoft to Accelerate Banking Innovation

First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Presight and Microsoft to host an AI Agentathon, developing practical AI-driven banking solutions to enhance operations,

Disrupts Editorial Team · 11 May 2026

Blockchain

Dubai VARA Introduces First Comprehensive Framework for Virtual Asset Exchange-Traded Derivatives

Dubai’s VARA launches a new regulatory framework for virtual asset exchange-traded derivatives, establishing strict rules on risk, custody, and market condu

Disrupts Editorial Team · 8 May 2026

Fintech

RAKBANK and Network International Complete Strategic Partnership to Boost UAE Payments Ecosystem

RAKBANK and Network International complete their strategic partnership following Central Bank approval, strengthening digital payment solutions for SMEs and

Disrupts Editorial Team · 29 April 2026

AI & ML

Taranis Capital and EEC Partner to Build Next-Generation Data Centres in Saudi Arabia

Taranis Capital and Emaar Executive Company partner to develop carrier-neutral data centres across Saudi Arabia, supporting rising AI and cloud demand under

Disrupts Editorial Team · 24 April 2026

AI & ML

Navigating Risk and Disruption in Geopolitical Turmoil

Disrupts Editorial Team · 20 April 2026

xStocks Launches xPoints Program to Reward DeFi Ecosystem Participation (Copy)

Spinneys launches The Chef’s Counter, featuring chef collaborations like Jun’s Dubai, to support local culinary talent, boost visibility for independent res

Disrupts Editorial Team · 15 April 2026

Blockchain

Fintech

Bybit Launches AED Trading Pairs to Enable Localized Crypto Trading in the UAE

Bybit introduces AED trading pairs, allowing UAE users to trade crypto directly in local currency via domestic bank accounts, enhancing accessibility, compl

Disrupts Editorial Team · 14 April 2026

AI & ML

Skipr Secures $2M Seed to Scale Sovereign AI Infrastructure

Abu Dhabi-based Skipr raises $2 million to expand its autonomous AI trust fabric, enabling secure, cross-network AI interoperability for governments and enterprises while ensuring soverei

Disrupts Editorial Team · 3 April 2026

Blockchain

MoneyGram, Pairpoint, and eToro Join Midnight Blockchain as Founding Node Operators

Midnight Foundation enlists MoneyGram, Pairpoint, and eToro as federated node operators, advancing privacy-preserving blockchain infrastructure for payments, IoT, and regulated fintech, e

Disrupts Editorial Team · 3 April 2026

Saudi Esports Federation Partners with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to Boost National Talent

The Saudi Esports Federation signs MoUs with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to develop skills, training programs, and career pathways for national esports talent, advancing Saudi Arabia’s

Disrupts Editorial Team · 2 April 2026

Wizbizla: Educating Expats to Combat Scams in Dubai

After losing her life savings to a scam, Amber Waheed founded Wizbizla to educate expats, verify credentials, and provide a trusted marketplace, combining AI-driven awareness with communi

Disrupts Editorial Team · 1 April 2026

Skydrops Secures £20M from GEM to Scale AWG Water Solutions

Skydrops, a Qatar-based cleantech company, secures £20M from GEM to expand its atmospheric water generation plants, supporting global growth, sustainable water production, and premium reu

Disrupts Editorial Team · 1 April 2026

Fintech

LEAP 2026 Returns to Riyadh to Showcase the Future of Global Technology

The fifth edition of LEAP 2026 will bring together global tech leaders, startups, and investors in Riyadh from 13–16 April 2026, highlighting innovation across AI, fintech, climate tech,

Disrupts Editorial Team · 30 March 2026

Blockchain

Dubai Launches Phase Two of Real Estate Tokenization Pilot with Secondary Trading

Dubai Land Department and Ctrl Alt have launched Phase Two of Dubai’s Real Estate Tokenization Pilot, enabling controlled secondary trading of tokenized property assets to improve liquidi

Disrupts Editorial Team · 29 March 2026

Fintech

Emirates NBD Launches Carbon Calculator to Help Customers Track Their Environmental Impact

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Al Ramz Capital have launched the region’s first trading competition, offering investors a chance to win up to 1 million Etihad Guest Miles monthly.

Disrupts Editorial Team · 28 March 2026

Fintech

Botim Money Expands Digital Investing Suite with Fractional Silver

Botim Money has launched digital silver investing in its ‘Invest’ feature, allowing UAE users to buy, sell, and manage fractional silver holdings from AED 10.

Disrupts Editorial Team · 27 March 2026

Fintech

Mashreq Launches Seamless Cross-Border Banking for UAE-Based Pakistani Customers

Mashreq has introduced a fully digital service allowing Pakistani nationals in the UAE to open Mashreq Pakistan accounts remotely, manage balances across both countries in a single app, a

Disrupts Editorial Team · 27 March 2026

Fintech

Saudi Central Bank Grants First Open Banking License to Lean Technologies

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has issued the Kingdom’s first Major Payment Institution license for Open Banking to Lean Technologies, marking a definiti

Disrupts Editorial Team · 27 March 2026

Fintech

ADX and Al Ramz Launch UAE’s First Investment and Trading Competition

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Al Ramz Capital have launched the region’s first trading competition, offering investors a chance to win up to 1 million Etihad Guest Miles monthly.

Disrupts Editorial Team · 26 March 2026

Subscribe to Middle East

Middle East

The Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2026 continued on Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), shifting focus from city-scale ambition to the technologies, frameworks, and investment models shaping the next generation of urban development.

First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Presight and Microsoft to host an AI Agentathon, developing practical AI-driven banking solutions to enhance operations,

Dubai’s VARA launches a new regulatory framework for virtual asset exchange-traded derivatives, establishing strict rules on risk, custody, and market condu

RAKBANK and Network International complete their strategic partnership following Central Bank approval, strengthening digital payment solutions for SMEs and

Taranis Capital and Emaar Executive Company partner to develop carrier-neutral data centres across Saudi Arabia, supporting rising AI and cloud demand under

Spinneys launches The Chef’s Counter, featuring chef collaborations like Jun’s Dubai, to support local culinary talent, boost visibility for independent res

Bybit introduces AED trading pairs, allowing UAE users to trade crypto directly in local currency via domestic bank accounts, enhancing accessibility, compl

Abu Dhabi-based Skipr raises $2 million to expand its autonomous AI trust fabric, enabling secure, cross-network AI interoperability for governments and enterprises while ensuring soverei

Midnight Foundation enlists MoneyGram, Pairpoint, and eToro as federated node operators, advancing privacy-preserving blockchain infrastructure for payments, IoT, and regulated fintech, e

The Saudi Esports Federation signs MoUs with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to develop skills, training programs, and career pathways for national esports talent, advancing Saudi Arabia’s

After losing her life savings to a scam, Amber Waheed founded Wizbizla to educate expats, verify credentials, and provide a trusted marketplace, combining AI-driven awareness with communi

Skydrops, a Qatar-based cleantech company, secures £20M from GEM to expand its atmospheric water generation plants, supporting global growth, sustainable water production, and premium reu

The fifth edition of LEAP 2026 will bring together global tech leaders, startups, and investors in Riyadh from 13–16 April 2026, highlighting innovation across AI, fintech, climate tech,

Dubai Land Department and Ctrl Alt have launched Phase Two of Dubai’s Real Estate Tokenization Pilot, enabling controlled secondary trading of tokenized property assets to improve liquidi

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Al Ramz Capital have launched the region’s first trading competition, offering investors a chance to win up to 1 million Etihad Guest Miles monthly.

Botim Money has launched digital silver investing in its ‘Invest’ feature, allowing UAE users to buy, sell, and manage fractional silver holdings from AED 10.

Mashreq has introduced a fully digital service allowing Pakistani nationals in the UAE to open Mashreq Pakistan accounts remotely, manage balances across both countries in a single app, a

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has issued the Kingdom’s first Major Payment Institution license for Open Banking to Lean Technologies, marking a definiti

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Al Ramz Capital have launched the region’s first trading competition, offering investors a chance to win up to 1 million Etihad Guest Miles monthly.

Subscribe to Disrupts