Bybit gets UAE crypto license, KSA finalizing US chip deal, STC Pay plans MENA expansion, Thailand seeks more IPOs, India gets ChatGPT-based agentic payments
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Space42 ships first locally-made Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites to US
- Space agency launches licensing platform
- Dubai Holding opens applications for flagship accelerator program
- Bybit becomes first platform to get SCA virtual asset platform operator license
- Abu Dhabi Airports, Al Hail pilot traveler digital wallets
- US-Saudi chip deal said to be finalized soon
- Govt to impose sugar tax from January 2026
- Aramco buys $702M stake to become Petro Rabigh's controlling shareholder
- Aramco suspends chemical expansion plans as oil prices slump
- Yokogawa begins expansion of Saudi energy park facility
- Govt prioritizing reform of education, health, media institutions
- QatarEnergy buys 27% stake in North Cleopatra block
- Trump to visit Egypt for Gaza ceasefire deal signing
- World Bank to disburse 2nd $500M tranche this year
- Abu Dhabi Aviation signs MRO, development partnerships with Egypt
- Saudi Arabia's Prince Mansour to acquire K-Electric
- Govt delays 5G auction to 2026
- Google rolls out AI Mode in Pakistan, offers Urdu
- Amazon to roll out satellite broadband in Pakistan by next year
- Financial inclusion rises to 67%, up from 47% in 2018
Other MENA+ Developments
- Jabal unveils Oman’s first India-dedicated fund
- Algeria drafts 2026-28 budget, forecasts $40B deficit for 2026
- Ripple expands to Bahrain with Fintech Bay partnership
- CrediMax launches Visa Commercial Pay in Bahrain for businesses
- STC Pay exploring expansion to Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Oman
Southeast Asia Developments
- Thai stock exchange to ease rules to boost liquidity, listings
- FWD launches Singapore AI lab
- Vingroup seeks funding to expand EV charging network regionally
- Strategic AI adoption could transform SMEs' daily operations
- DigiPlus, Bayad partner for Philippines OTC payments
India Developments
- Global Fintech Fest speakers told to avoid commenting on crypto
- Amazon Pay launches UPI Circle, allowing family-based UPI payments
- JPMorgan to expand payments offering, speed up crossborder transfers
- Razorpay, NPCI, OpenAI partner on ChatGPT-based agentic payments
- Citigroup projects $20B in India IPOs over next 12 months
