Dubai greenlights first tokenized money market fund, while KSA's SABIC explores IPO of gas unit
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Dubai greenlights first tokenized money market fund
- EU votes to remove UAE from money laundering watchlist
- Emirates partners Crypto.com to accept crypto payments from 2026
- AD Ports' Central Asian JV begins operations to cut China-Europe transit times
- HSBC becomes first international partner on Lunate’s ETS platform
- SABIC studying IPO of gas unit
- Blacklane, EVIQ partner to expand EV charging network, targets vehicle fleets
- CMA announces reforms to Investment Funds Regulations
- Delivery app Jahez to enter Qatar with Snoonu acquisition
- UAE job growth outpaces Saudi Arabia, driven by tech, digital work permit system
- Gov’t to launch public consultation on overhaul of approach to freezones
- Egypt targets $16B in Chinese investments within 4 years, up from $8B currently
- UK fintech LemFi launches international payment services, targeting $29.6B market
- PM cites geopolitical tensions in missing state-owned enterprise divestment targets
- Reliance-backed KareXpert partners Telecom Egypt for new National Digital Healthcare Platform
- Central bank to launch pilot for digital currency
- YouTube asked by local court to ban over two dozen critics
- SBP sees Raast, PayPak expansion to tackle reliance on international card networks
- Pakistan holds investor meetings in China for inaugural RMB-denominated bond
- Pakistan sees FY25 remittances increase 27% to record $38.3B
Other MENA+ Developments
- Egyptian proptech Nawy acquires Dubai's SmartCrowd to enter GCC market
- MENA M&A transactions up 149% YoY to hit $115.5B in H1
- Future Fund Oman, China's Temple Water launch $200M energy transition fund
- Amazon Payment Services partners Tamara to offer BNPL in UAE, KSA
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performs GCC's first successful robotic lung transplant
Southeast Asia Developments
- Thailand to introduce $1.2B in measures to tackle tariff impact
- G42 to partner Vietnamese firms for $2B hyperscale data center
- Temasek says it does not forsee "major shift" in strategy despite US tariffs
- Revolut launches tech hub in Philippines
- AI startup Manus accelerates move to Singapore
India Developments
- Starlink get final regulatory clearance for satellite internet launch
- Reliance Jio delays India IPO to 2027-28
- Govt's proposed plan to boost local rare earth output draws interest from conglomerates
- Ecommerce platforms turn to smaller cities to drive festive sales growth
- India, Brazil to boost trade to $20B
