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Ant International, a global fintech leader, is strengthening its presence in the UAE with two big milestones.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to support the growth of Abu Dhabi’s fintech ecosystem. Through this partnership, Ant International aims to help local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adopt advanced digital payment solutions.

At the same time, Ant International received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Central Bank of the UAE for two important licenses—Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Retail Payment Services & Card Schemes (RPSCS). These approvals are key steps before the company can fully launch its services in the country.

With this progress, Ant International is preparing to offer services like e-wallets, merchant payments, and cross-border transfers, all in line with the UAE’s vision for digital growth under We the UAE 2031.

This move highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising role as a global fintech hub, while opening new opportunities for businesses to connect with international markets.

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The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has signed a partnership with Ant International, a global fintech company from Singapore, to help grow Abu Dhabi’s digital finance sector.

This agreement aims to give local businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—access to advanced digital payment tools, improve financial inclusion, and connect Abu Dhabi more strongly to international markets.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said that Abu Dhabi is an ideal place for fintech companies because of its strong digital infrastructure, clear regulations, and strategic location. He explained that the partnership will help create a more trusted, resilient, and well-regulated financial system.

Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, said the company is excited to work with ADIO and bring its technology to support local businesses and connect them to growth opportunities worldwide.

As part of this move, Ant International has received In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) from the Central Bank of the UAE for two licenses: Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS). These approvals will allow Ant International to offer services such as e-wallets, merchant payment systems, and both domestic and international money transfers.

The partnership supports the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, which focuses on digital transformation and building a strong, future-ready economy.

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In a major step towards blending traditional banking with the growing digital economy, RAKBANK has introduced a new in-app cryptocurrency trading feature that allows users to trade using UAE dirhams (AED). This makes RAKBANK the first conventional bank in the UAE to offer such a service.

The initiative is part of the UAE’s broader fintech strategy, aiming to establish the country as a global leader in digital finance and blockchain innovation. The feature is being rolled out in partnership with Bitpanda, a regulated Austrian fintech firm operating under Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) through its local entity, Bitpanda MENA DMCC.

What makes this launch unique?
Users can now buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Ripple—directly within RAKBANK’s app using their AED savings or current accounts. There are no foreign currency conversions or offshore transactions involved, making the process seamless and cost-efficient.

Initially available on an invite-only basis, the service will expand to more users in the coming months, enabling wider access to crypto trading within a secure and regulated banking environment.

This development comes as Dubai continues to attract crypto businesses and strengthen its position as a digital assets hub, with over 600 virtual asset firms already operating in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Why it matters:

• This move eliminates barriers between fiat and crypto, giving everyday users a trusted and familiar platform to access digital assets.
• RAKBANK’s integration of Bitpanda’s infrastructure ensures regulatory compliance, secure transactions, and ease of use.
• It signals a new era where mainstream banking and cryptocurrency can coexist, offering both flexibility and reliability to retail users.

As the UAE continues to push forward with digital transformation in finance, RAKBANK’s latest offering sets a strong example for other regional banks to follow.

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The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded its strongest ever first-half performance in 2025, registering 1,081 new active companies, a 32% increase from the same period last year. This brings the total number of active firms to 7,700, up from 6,153 in H1 2024.

Growth in Workforce and Financial Licensing

• The DIFC workforce grew to 47,901 professionals, up 9% year-on-year.
• The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) now oversees 980 regulated entities, showing 17% growth.
• 78 new financial service licenses were issued, up from 61 last year—a 28% increase.

Sector Highlights

Financial Services

• Banking and capital markets reached 289 firms, up 17%.
• Wealth and asset managers rose to 440, a 19% increase.
• The number of hedge funds grew by 72% to 85, with 69 managing over $1 billion.
• Over 10,000 funds are now managed or marketed from the DIFC.

Innovation and Non-Financial Firms

• FinTech, AI, and innovation-driven firms reached 1,388, growing 28%.
• Non-financial entities increased to 6,335, also up 28%.
• Family businesses registered at DIFC grew to 1,035, a 73% rise.
• Foundations grew to 842, up 54%.

Insurance and Real Estate

• Insurance and reinsurance firms grew 8% to 135, with gross premiums reaching $3.5 billion, up from $2.6 billion.
• Over 1.6 million sq. ft. of new commercial space is under development, with DIFC Heights selling out in just three days.

Leadership Remarks

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and DIFC President, said these results reflect global confidence in Dubai’s economy.

Essa Kazim, DIFC Governor, highlighted DIFC’s role in boosting Dubai’s economic strength and global status.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, stated that DIFC has exceeded expectations and is shaping the future of finance from Dubai.

Global Recognition

DIFC is now ranked among the top eight financial hubs globally, alongside cities like London and New York, and is the largest regulated financial ecosystem in the MEASA region.

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In a groundbreaking move, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has become the first public entity in the Middle East to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for court-related services. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy and reinforces the country’s position as a fintech pioneer in the region.

The ADJD now allows users to pay judicial fees using AE Coin, a UAE-backed stablecoin, through the regulated AEC Wallet. Developed in partnership with Al Maryah Bank, the wallet ensures secure and compliant transactions. This advancement enables both residents and businesses to conveniently settle legal fees with digital currency—streamlining the process while embracing innovative payment solutions.

Dr. Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the ADJD, emphasized that this move aligns with the UAE’s commitment to smart government services and digital innovation. It marks a significant leap in integrating blockchain and fintech into the country’s judicial and administrative systems.

AE Coin, which is pegged to the UAE dirham and governed by AED Stablecoin, has already gained traction within the public sector. It’s being used for payments with the Integrated Transport Centre and Air Arabia, and its expansion into the legal domain signals growing institutional trust in regulated crypto assets.

Al Maryah Bank’s CEO, Mohammed Wassim Khayata, praised the collaboration as a forward-looking step in secure government payment systems. Meanwhile, AED Stablecoin CEO Ramez Rafiq noted that public-sector adoption of AE Coin is steadily rising, with more government departments showing interest.

In parallel developments, the ADI Foundation—alongside First Abu Dhabi Bank and sovereign wealth fund ADQ—is working on another dirham-backed stablecoin, AEDC. Dubai is also moving forward in this space, exploring crypto payment integrations through partnerships with leading blockchain firms.

Abu Dhabi’s decision to accept cryptocurrency for court services is more than a milestone—it’s a statement. It demonstrates how traditional institutions can adapt to the future of finance, setting the stage for widespread adoption of digital currencies across the region’s public sector.

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RAKBANK has officially joined National Bonds’ fintech platform, Al Manassah—marking a major step forward in the UAE’s digital Islamic finance journey.

Al Manassah, launched in 2013, is a pioneering platform for trading Mudaraba-based Sukuk. It enables 24/7 issuance, transfer, and redemption of Sukuk digitally. To date, it has processed over AED 199 billion in transactions, including AED 33 billion in 2024 alone.

The inclusion of RAKBANK enhances the platform’s accessibility and reflects the growing demand for Sharia-compliant, tech-driven financial solutions. Both institutions emphasize that this partnership aligns with national goals of fintech innovation and financial inclusion.

Quote from National Bonds CEO, Mohammed Qasim Al Ali:
“This collaboration extends our mission to democratize access to Islamic investment tools through advanced fintech.”

Quote from RAKBANK CEO, Raheel Ahmed:
“We’re proud to offer our customers a seamless, Sharia-compliant investment experience through this digital integration.”

This partnership underscores the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global hub for ethical and innovative finance.

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