Blog by Mirza Ashraf Beg – Fintech, Innovator & Entrepreneur

🇦🇪 EmCoin: UAE’s First Unified Investment App for Crypto, Stocks & Commodities🇦🇪 EmCoin: UAE’s First Unified Investment App for Crypto, Stocks & Commodities

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 6:03 pm

Abu Dhabi-based EmCoin has become the UAE’s first fully regulated virtual asset platform under the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). What makes it stand out? It brings together cryptocurrencies, global and local stocks, commodities, and even regulated ICOs—all in a single, secure mobile app.

One Platform, Multiple Assets

EmCoin eliminates the need for multiple apps by combining:

• 🪙 Crypto trading
• 📈 Stock investing
• 🛢️ Commodities
• 📊 Managed portfolios

Everything is SCA-regulated, offering transparency, security, and ease for UAE investors.

Regulated ICO Launchpad

In a first for the region, EmCoin enables SCA-approved ICOs, giving businesses a compliant fundraising route and investors a safer way to access early-stage opportunities.

This is especially relevant after recent global crypto fundraising scandals. EmCoin brings regulatory confidence to a space often lacking it.

How to Get Started

• UAE users can sign up, complete KYC, and fund their account in AED.
• Trade across all supported asset classes—from crypto to stocks—within a single app.

Why It Matters

EmCoin represents a new wave of fintech: unified, regulated, and inclusive. It simplifies diversification, protects investors, and raises the bar for digital investment platforms.

With potential to inspire similar models globally, EmCoin could shape the future of how we invest.

Jaywan Cards: UAE’s New Era of Local PaymentsJaywan Cards: UAE’s New Era of Local Payments

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 12:35 pm

In a groundbreaking move to strengthen its digital economy, the UAE has launched Jaywan, a sovereign card scheme created in partnership with In-Solutions Global (ISG) and Bank of Baroda UAE, under the direction of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

Jaywan is designed to process transactions entirely within the country, reducing reliance on international networks like Visa and Mastercard. This domestic control helps lower transaction fees, improve security, and provide better cost-efficiency for banks and merchants.

The card supports contactless payments, complies with local regulatory standards, and plays a vital role in encouraging a cashless society. It also plans to offer interoperability with India’s RuPay network, supporting cross-border use and enhancing regional connectivity.

As the UAE’s digital payment market surges toward $80 billion by 2025, Jaywan positions itself as a vital part of the nation’s fintech future—delivering secure, scalable, and locally governed financial infrastructure.

Crossfin Enters Middle East Market with Strategic Stake in UAE Fintech UniteyCrossfin Enters Middle East Market with Strategic Stake in UAE Fintech Unitey

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 4:11 pm

In a bold step toward global expansion, South African fintech investment firm Crossfin has announced a strategic investment in Unitey Digital Holdings, a UAE-based fintech platform. This move marks Crossfin’s official entry into the Middle Eastern market and sets the stage for further growth across Asia and beyond.

The investment is being channeled through Crossfin’s newly launched Singapore arm, created to extend the company’s proven fintech investment strategy to emerging markets outside Africa.

“Our goal since the founding of Crossfin has been to support strategic payment rails across Africa and now beyond, by backing fintech innovations that can scale across these infrastructures,” said Anton Gaylard, Co-founder and CXO of Crossfin. “Our investment in Unitey is a strong step toward building a diversified portfolio across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.”

The new Crossfin Singapore initiative is backed by two major anchor investors — Standard Bank and Turing Capital Fund, a sub-fund of Chronos Capital Fund VCC.

Michael Jordaan of Chronos Capital Advisors SA emphasized Unitey’s critical role in providing infrastructure solutions that empower central banks and elevate digital payments ecosystems.

Founded in 2021 by Muzaffar Khokhar, Unitey is an emerging markets technology holding company. It includes Mercury, a payments infrastructure and service provider, and Shukria, a licensed UAE-based payment services brand.

“Having worked closely with the South African fintech ecosystem, I’ve always admired its excellence,” said Muzaffar Khokhar, CEO of Unitey. “We are thrilled to have Crossfin join us on this journey to accelerate the success of what we began in 2021 alongside my co-founders Muzaffer Hamid and Gururaj Balakrishna.”

This partnership signifies more than just an investment—it represents a convergence of expertise, innovation, and ambition. Crossfin’s entry into the UAE fintech space through Unitey underlines the increasing importance of cross-border collaboration in driving the future of digital finance.

Dubai-Based Fintech Qashio Raises $19.8M for Saudi Market EntryDubai-Based Fintech Qashio Raises $19.8M for Saudi Market Entry

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 5:23 pm

Dubai-based fintech firm Qashio has successfully raised $19.8 million in a strategic funding round comprising both equity and debt. This investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey as it gears up for expansion into the Saudi Arabian market and aims to scale its operations across the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

A Strategic Funding Boost

The funding round was led by Rocketship.vc, a prominent Silicon Valley-based venture firm, with continued backing from existing investors like ABN Ventures, MITAA, and Oneway VC. Notably, new strategic participants also joined the round, including MoreThan Capital from Luxembourg, unnamed regional banks, and family offices from the MENA region.

Qashio’s Fintech Footprint

Founded in 2021 by Armin Moradi, Qashio provides digital corporate cards and embedded financial services tailored for businesses across various sectors including e-commerce, consulting, government, and legal industries. Its platform helps organizations gain better control and transparency over spending, replacing traditional petty cash and manual reimbursement systems.

Qashio currently operates across 22 markets, including the UAE, Europe, and the UK. Over the past three years, the company has consistently recorded over 800% year-on-year revenue growth, with its latest quarter showing a $1.2 million profit—a strong indicator of financial sustainability and product-market fit.

Saudi Market Entry and Beyond

With fresh capital in hand, Qashio is now focusing on:

• Expanding its geographic reach, particularly into Saudi Arabia
• Strengthening regulatory compliance ahead of new market launches
• Launching a new fintech loyalty program across MENA
• Enhancing its digital infrastructure and customer experience

Transforming Corporate Spend Management in MENA

Qashio’s rapid growth and commitment to innovation are reshaping the spend management landscape in the region. By integrating digital payments and automation into enterprise workflows, Qashio aims to empower businesses with smarter financial tools and greater efficiency.

This latest funding not only validates investor confidence but also positions Qashio as a key enabler of digital financial transformation in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

How Fintech is Powering the UAE’s Digital Economy TransformationHow Fintech is Powering the UAE’s Digital Economy Transformation

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 4:49 pm

The United Arab Emirates is fast becoming a global frontrunner in digital innovation, and at the heart of this transformation lies a thriving fintech sector. According to a recent report by Checkout.com, the nation’s digital economy is gaining momentum, fueled by evolving consumer behaviors, advanced technologies, and forward-thinking regulations.

From Cash to Clicks: The Rise of Digital Payments

Cash-on-delivery—a long-preferred payment method in the UAE—has declined by 53% since 2020. In its place, digital payment solutions are rapidly taking over. Account Funding Transactions (AFTs), which include real-time salary transfers, peer-to-peer payments, and remittances, have surged by 388% year-on-year, reflecting a major shift in how people manage and move money.

Evolving Consumer Trends in E-Commerce

Today’s consumers are digitally empowered:

• 44% compare prices online while browsing in physical stores.
• 42% regularly use digital wallets or apps for money transfers.
• 35% actively invest through fintech platforms.

When it comes to online purchases, food delivery leads at 57%, followed by fashion at 48% and travel at 38%. Moreover, 62% of consumers expect to increase their digital spending in areas such as travel, food services, and even government-related payments.

AI is Redefining the Retail Experience

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how customers interact with brands:

• 46% have engaged with AI chat tools for shopping support.
• 37% have used visual search features to find products.

These innovations are enabling faster, smarter, and more personalized shopping journeys.

The Growing Focus on Cybersecurity

As digital transactions grow, so do concerns around security.

• 57% of users reported encountering online fraud in the last year—up from 35%.
• Nearly 1 in 4 have abandoned online shopping due to security fears.

To address this, financial institutions are deploying cutting-edge technologies like behavioral biometrics and machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent activities in real time.

---

Conclusion:
The UAE’s focus on digital growth, backed by robust fintech innovation, is not just reshaping its local economy—it’s positioning the country as a global benchmark for digital transformation. As more consumers and businesses go digital, fintech will continue to be the driving force behind a smarter, faster, and more secure economic future.

Zand Bank and Mamo Join Forces with Ripple to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in the UAEZand Bank and Mamo Join Forces with Ripple to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in the UAE

Mirza Ashraf Beg @ DubaiMirza Ashraf Beg @ Dubai 0 Comments 3:19 pm

In a major move for the UAE’s digital finance ecosystem, Zand Bank and fintech startup Mamo have partnered with Ripple to introduce blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions. This collaboration follows Ripple’s recent regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), making it the first blockchain-powered payments provider authorized to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Ripple Payments—the core platform behind this initiative—uses blockchain technology, digital assets, and an extensive global network to enable fast, transparent, and secure international money transfers. Currently active in over 90 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Switzerland, Ripple has already processed more than $70 billion in global transactions. Its entry into the UAE aims to solve persistent issues in traditional payment systems, such as high fees, slow processing times, and lack of visibility.

Zand Bank, the UAE’s first fully digital bank, plans to adopt Ripple’s infrastructure to modernize its cross-border transfer services. The bank is also preparing to launch an AED-backed stablecoin to further strengthen its digital offering. Chirag Sampat, Head of Treasury and Markets at Zand, emphasized the bank’s focus on leading digital finance innovation in the region.

Meanwhile, Mamo—a rising fintech player in Dubai—is leveraging Ripple’s platform to simplify and reduce the cost of remittances. CEO and co-founder Imad Gharazeddine noted that this integration will make global payments easier and more accessible for UAE-based businesses and individuals.

The UAE’s supportive regulatory framework and openness to digital asset adoption continue to make it a hotspot for fintech innovation. According to Ripple’s 2025 New Value Report, 64% of financial leaders in the Middle East and Africa cite faster transactions as a key driver for using blockchain-based currencies in cross-border payments.

This partnership marks another milestone in Ripple’s Middle East expansion and underscores the region’s commitment to embracing next-generation payment technologies.