Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
UNDP and FLock.io are launching an NFT- and AI-powered marketplace to help Moroccan artisans authenticate and sell their crafts globally, even as Morocco finalizes its digital asset law under Bill 42.25. The initiative bridges innovation and regulation in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Saudi Arabia’s plan to introduce regulated stablecoins is earning strong support from major global exchanges including Bybit and BingX, who see it as a milestone for the region’s digital finance landscape. Backed by the CMA and SAMA, the initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion, speed up cross-border payments, and unlock innovation across fintech, real estate, and retail. As the Kingdom’s fintech sector rapidly expands, stablecoins are poised to become a key pillar of its digital transformation strategy.
Bybit Pay has partnered with Ceylon Cash to launch crypto payments in Sri Lanka via CeyPay, equipping 100 merchants with PoS systems for fiat and crypto transactions. The move promotes blockchain adoption, secure payments, and digital inclusion in one of Asia’s top tourism-driven economies.
BBK has become the first GCC bank to join Binance’s Link Program, integrating crypto trading within its app while reporting strong Q3 growth and expanding into tokenization through a new partnership with ATME.
du has launched Cloud Miner, the UAE’s first telecom-led cloud mining service, enabling residents to securely and sustainably earn Bitcoin through subscription-based computational power rentals — reinforcing the country’s push toward digital finance innovation.
Malaysia has launched its first metaverse-based Intelligence Operations Centre, integrating AI, IoT, and 3D visualization for real-time infrastructure management. The system enhances governance, sustainability, and crisis response while positioning Selangor as a leader in immersive digital transformation.
Qatar National Bank has adopted JPMorgan’s Kinexys blockchain platform for U.S. dollar corporate payments, enabling 24/7 settlement and cutting transfer times from days to minutes. The move strengthens regional adoption of on-chain banking infrastructure and supports programmable, transparent treasury operations.
Mysten Labs and MENA blockchain leaders met in Egypt to develop use cases in payments, digital identity, and logistics. Discussions highlighted remittances, which make up 9% of Egypt’s GDP, and plans for “on-chain banking 2.0.” Egypt, while banning crypto, is embracing blockchain in trade, finance, and CBDC exploration.
ECM Blockchain, founded by Bangladeshi entrepreneur Tanvirul Islam Prince, is the country’s first blockchain initiative with global scale. With a mainnet launch in Q4 2025, live ecosystem projects, and an active ICO, ECM aims to deliver scalable, low-cost infrastructure for trade, supply chains, finance, and Web3 innovation.
UAE-based Lunate has partnered with hedge fund giant Brevan Howard to establish a $2B investment platform in ADGM, focusing on macro and digital assets. The deal also includes Lunate acquiring a minority stake in Brevan Howard, further expanding its hedge fund exposure while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global financial hub.