Dubai VARA cracks down on KuCoin, Infobip opens Saudi data center, MENA SWFs could redirect investments, Malaysia gears up for elections, Jio delays India IPO
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- CBUAE says financial institutions, payment systems unaffected by war
- Neolix halts all autonomous delivery operations in Abu Dhabi
- UAE, Japan complete CEPA talks
- Dubai VARA cracks down on KuCoin over unlicensed crypto services
- UAE allows banks to use foreign data centers following Iran strikes
- Infobip opens first Saudi data center
- MIS to build dedicated AI-focused private data center for HUMAIN
- Stc launches ‘New Calling’ pilot enabling real-time Arabic–English translation of voice calls
- Saudi Awwal Bank becomes region's first bank to obtain 7-star CinOrg innovation rating
- ACWA added 25GW of power generation capacity in 2025
- Egypt partners X-Calibur for first aerial mineral survey in 40 years
- Modupay, Banque Misr enable full ATM direct integration for fintech cards
- ACUD, Polaris Parks to develop $120M industrial complex in New Administrative Capital
- Tax revenues up 32% in H1 FY2025-26, outpacing expenditure growth
- Egypt in discussions with firms to enhance flexibility of National Automotive Industry Development Program
- SECP proposes referral incentives to boost investor participation in capital markets
- Ignite begins process to set up Pakistan Venture Fund
- FBR begins design phase of Digital National Cargo Tracking System
- PTA drafts class license framework for tracking services
- Chinese aerospace delegation working on $10B investment covering minerals, tech development
Other MENA+ Developments
- US considers tying Nvidia, AMD chip exports to countries with investment pledges
- Emirates NBD waives ATM, debit card fees temporarily across region
- SWFs could redirect investments toward national priorities in case of prolonged disruption
- ADIA, QIA backs Japanese QR code payments leader PayPay in US IPO
- Algeria adopts new national cybersecurity strategy
Southeast Asia Developments
- Indonesia to enforce new platform age limits for children this month
- Indonesia aims to convert 6M motorcycles to EVs each year
- Vietnam's Mobifone joins Viettel, VNPT in seeking Chinese 5G partnerships
- Malaysian govt gears up for 2026 election
- Singapore to launch first home-grown gold ETF
India Developments
- Karnataka bans social media for children under 16
- Samsung says India R&D centers integrated AI into Galaxy S26
- Tech Mahindra, Microsoft partner on ontology-driven agentic AI platform for telecoms
- Jio IPO delayed by changes to listing rules
- VinFast outpaces BYD so far this year as India's top foreign EV player
