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Optimizing In-App Payments Opportunities And Challenges

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Integrator Media had an interview with Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager-MENA, Checkout.com

Could you provide a brief overview of the entire ecosystem surrounding in-app payments?

The in-app payments ecosystem encompasses a network of various components, including payment gateways, digital wallets, and payment processors, that work to streamline payment transactions within mobile applications. Within this, the payment gateways act as intermediaries, securely transmitting payment information between the app and the payment processor. The payment processors validate and process transactions, ensuring they comply with regulations and security standards, while the digital wallets store users’ payment details for quick and secure payments. Successful integration of these services requires careful planning and implementation to ensure a smooth user experience and adherence to regulatory requirements, ultimately enabling businesses to deliver seamless payment experiences to their customers.

What are some factors driving the growing trust in digital payment ecosystems among consumers?

In the past few years’ ecommerce has grown faster in the MENA region than anywhere else in the world, with an estimated 209 million consumers transitioning to online shopping during the height of the pandemic. And with the pandemic’s lockdowns now behind us, the number of ecommerce shoppers in MENA only continues to grow. Latest estimates from Redseer have forecasted the total MENA ecommerce market size to be worth $100 billion by 2023. This has had a huge impact on how consumers in the region view digital payments, and on their willingness to use them. Furthermore, the increasing trust in digital payment ecosystems can be attributed to several key factors.

Firstly, the ecosystem is becoming significantly more secure due to rapid advancements in security and fraud prevention. Between 2021 and 2023, the fraud rates for online transactions during Ramadan in the region reduced by a whopping two-thirds, based on Checkout. com processing data. This improved security has instilled confidence in consumers, encouraging them to utilize digital payment methods more frequently. Secondly, the convenience offered by digital payments aligns with the heightened activity in app browsing and mobile shopping during this period. In 2023, for instance, Checkout.com saw processing volumes of online transactions during Ramadan swell in the region year-on-year by 69%, furthermore, we saw a significant uptick in funds sent by expatriates to their families and friends, both in anticipation of the Eid holidays and during the holy month, translated in a 17% increase in the UAE, and 28% in Saudi.

Can you elaborate on how the ecosystem is experiencing enhanced security due to rapid advancements in security and fraud prevention?

The digital payment ecosystem is becoming increasingly secure, thanks to advancements like robust encryption methods that protect payment information during transmission and storage, advanced authentication techniques such as biometrics and tokenization, and real-time transaction monitoring systems. Additionally, machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms are being increasingly utilized to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. These technologies work together to create a multi-layered security approach, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring the security of digital transactions. Consequently, businesses can provide consumers with a more secure and reliable payment experience, fostering trust and loyalty.

How do in-app payments offer various opportunities for monetization to businesses operating through mobile applications?

In-app payment processing enables merchants to accept payments for goods and services directly within a mobile app, streamlining the checkout process for users to enter their payment details without leaving the app. This opens all sorts of monetization possibilities for app-based businesses, from setting up subscription payments to unlocking exclusive content. Enhancing in-app payment processing presents an untapped opportunity for merchants in the region to gain significant advantage, with benefits that encompass higher conversion rates, increased revenue, enhanced customer retention, and quicker settlement times. Simplifying the checkout process within the app reduces the likelihood of cart abandonment, leading to a smoother customer journey and ultimately boosting conversions. This not only drives revenue growth but also encourages customers to spend more time within the app, thereby improving retention rates. Additionally, offering direct account[1]to-account payment methods through in-app payments can significantly reduce settlement times compared to traditional card payments.

What are some potential drawbacks that merchants should consider when considering the implementation of in-app payments?

When considering the implementation of in-app payments, merchants should be mindful of two key drawbacks. Firstly, high commission fees can significantly impact profitability, particularly for businesses earning over $1 million in annual net app revenue on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, where fees can reach 30% of revenue. However, for businesses making less than $1 million, or in the case of a subscription[1]based app that’s been in service for over 12 months, the corresponding fee is 15% of the revenue, which will apply to most app developers. Secondly, the lack of flexibility in direct integration with Payment Service Providers (PSPs) may limit merchants’ ability to offer alternative payment methods beyond Apple Pay or Google Pay. Despite these challenges, the benefits of in-app payments, especially during busy seasons like Ramadan, often outweigh these drawbacks. Merchants should strive to implement in-app payment processing in a way that optimizes user experience, minimizes commission impact, and complies with app store guidelines.

Do you believe payment service companies are reshaping the landscape of financial services in the region?

Yes, I believe they are indeed reshaping the landscape of financial services in the region. The innovative approaches and technology-driven solutions being offered are revolutionizing how businesses and individuals manage transactions. With the rise of mobile payments, digital wallets, and contactless payments, payment service companies are making transactions more convenient, secure, and efficient. Looking ahead, as technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more seamless and integrated payment solutions. This includes increased personalization, improved security measures, and further integration with emerging technologies like blockchain and AI. These developments are expected to offer new opportunities for growth and innovation, while expanding the range of services offered. As consumers increasingly embrace digital payment options, payment service companies that can adapt and evolve to meet changing needs are likely to thrive in the growing financial services landscape.

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Reimagining Banking: Unlocking Endless Potential and Unlimited Growth in the Middle East

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By Keith Redding, Chief Revenue Officer, Universal Banking at Finastra

Reimagining banking in the Middle East is redefining how financial institutions grow, engage, and innovate. As digital transformation accelerates, banks must evolve to deliver seamless, secure, and personalized experiences that meet rising customer expectations.

Across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, adoption of digital banking continues to surge. According to Capco’s “Bank of the Future” survey, 89% of UAE customers have become more confident using mobile banking services, while 83% now access them primarily via mobile apps. Similarly, Saudi Arabia expects online banking penetration to grow by over 16 percentage points between 2024 and 2029, underscoring the region’s momentum toward smarter, connected financial ecosystems.


Reimagining Banking Middle East with Data and Analytics

Data has become the new cornerstone of success. Through AI, analytics, and machine learning, banks can decode customer behaviour and anticipate needs more precisely than ever. As a result, they can personalize offerings, boost retention, and reduce friction across the customer journey.

A clear example of this transformation is Riyad Bank’s Centre of Intelligence (COI) — Saudi Arabia’s first AI-focused banking hub — which enhances operational efficiency while driving innovation in customer engagement.

By reimagining banking in the Middle East with data-driven strategies, institutions can align financial products with real-time insights and deliver experiences that feel intuitive, predictive, and human.


Hyper-Personalization and Omnichannel Growth

Customers today interact through multiple touchpoints — mobile apps, websites, and physical branches — expecting consistent, personalized service. Therefore, delivering a seamless omnichannel experience has become the foundation of loyalty.

In the UAE, 70% of consumers are willing to share personal data for tailored experiences, while in Saudi Arabia, the number climbs to 71%. This readiness empowers banks to use analytics ethically and transparently, transforming everyday banking into relationship-driven engagement.


Digital Sales Outreach and New Engagement Models

Digital outreach is not an option — it’s essential. Mobile-first strategies, social media engagement, and AI-driven marketing are now central to how banks connect with customers.

Take D360 Bank, one of Saudi Arabia’s first digital-only institutions. It attracted over 600,000 customers within two months of launch, proving that mobile-first banking can scale fast when powered by user-centric design.


Ecosystem Collaboration: Powering Innovation in the Middle East

Another major force reimagining banking in the Middle East is ecosystem collaboration. By partnering with fintechs, big tech firms, and infrastructure providers, banks can expand capabilities faster than ever before.

Globally, fintech startups have surged from 12,000 in 2020 to nearly 30,000 in 2024. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) now hosts over 1,000 fintech firms, while Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem has more than doubled within a year. This growth underscores the importance of collaboration as a driver of agility and innovation.

Such partnerships empower banks to deploy advanced solutions like AI-powered risk scoring, embedded finance, and real-time payments — all while ensuring compliance with regional and global standards.


Looking Ahead: Building a Future-Ready Financial Ecosystem

The future of reimagining banking in the Middle East lies in intelligent, insight-led operations. Automated recommendations, predictive support, and AI-driven decision-making will soon define how banks engage customers.

Forward-thinking institutions in the UAE are already adopting AI-assisted frameworks that streamline service and elevate the customer experience. In Saudi Arabia, agile innovation models like Alinma Bank’s digital factory accelerate product launches and improve customer alignment.

As the region continues to evolve, banks that combine innovation, collaboration, and customer-centric transformation will achieve sustainable growth and long-term market leadership.

Check this out UAE Crypto Regulation Sets Global Blueprint

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UAE Crypto Regulation Sets Global Blueprint

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By Karl Naïm, Group Chief Commercial Officer, XBTO

The UAE has evolved from a crypto sandbox to a global model for digital asset regulation, demonstrating how policy clarity, investor protection, and innovation can coexist. Once a regional testing ground, the nation now leads in tokenization, blockchain adoption, and institutional-grade compliance — setting a framework others are eager to emulate.


Institutions Move from Observation to Adoption

Over the last two years, institutional investors — from sovereign funds to global asset managers — have shifted from cautious exploration to structured allocations in digital assets. Yet, these investors only engage when they see robust regulatory infrastructure.
Here, UAE crypto regulation stands apart. While the U.S. remains divided over jurisdictional control and Europe’s MiCA awaits full rollout, the UAE offers a complete ecosystem where policy meets execution. This maturity has transformed the country into a trusted base for large-scale blockchain initiatives.


Two Regulatory Paths, One Unified Objective

The UAE’s approach balances innovation and oversight through two distinct yet aligned regulatory arms.

  • Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): Through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), it licenses custody, tokenization, and brokerage activities under strict governance criteria.
  • Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA): Instead of classifying asset types, VARA regulates activities, giving firms flexibility to innovate without restarting their licensing process.

This dual model ensures both stability and adaptability — a rare equilibrium that reinforces confidence among enterprises and investors.


Tokenization Moves from Pilot to Production

In 2023, Neovision and Realize launched one of the first tokenized U.S. Treasury funds under ADGM’s oversight, now part of a market valued at over $2.4 billion. Soon after, HSBC piloted tokenized gold settlement in the Emirates, leveraging the UAE’s mature legal and technical infrastructure.
Unlike most markets, where tokenization remains conceptual, the UAE has operationalized it across corporate bonds, commodities, and private equity. This tangible progress makes UAE crypto regulation a benchmark for turning blockchain theory into enterprise-scale reality.


Proven Resilience Through Market Turbulence

The UAE’s frameworks were tested during the 2022 digital asset downturn. While some regions froze licensing or enforcement, VARA introduced stricter custodial and marketing rules while continuing to issue licenses transparently.
In 2024, both VARA and ADGM demonstrated accountability by penalizing unlicensed operators and enforcing compliance — signaling a regulatory environment that values both innovation and discipline.


Blockchain Beyond Finance

Beyond crypto trading and tokenization, the UAE is using blockchain to drive cross-sector innovation.

  • Ras Al Khaimah has built a dedicated Web3 zone for decentralized applications.
  • Sharjah is piloting blockchain in public services, from identity to supply chain tracking.
    This diversification proves the national model’s flexibility and depth, blending economic and civic value under a unified UAE crypto regulation framework.

Geography Meets Governance

Situated between Asia and Europe, the UAE benefits from time-zone overlap, U.S. dollar settlement, and investor-friendly tax structures. Yet its real advantage lies in policy precision. Since 2023, VARA has issued frequent updates and consultative papers, responding dynamically to industry input.
Following its removal from the FATF grey list in 2024, the UAE has accelerated compliance reforms faster than most peers, turning global scrutiny into strategic progress.


A Replicable Blueprint for the World

While the U.S. debates regulatory ownership and Europe await MiCA’s maturity, the UAE has implemented a live, multi-emirate framework. It balances openness with oversight — a model now studied by global policymakers.
For institutional investors, the question has shifted from if to were. Increasingly, the answer is clear: the UAE — where crypto regulation is no longer an experiment, but the emerging global standard.

Read our previous post, UAE Depreciation Rules Boost Real Estate Investment

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UAE Depreciation Rules Boost Real Estate Investment

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By Shabbir Moonim, CFO, The Continental Group

Shabbir Moonim,Chief Financial Officer at The Continental Group.
Shabbir Moonim

A Sharper Edge for UAE Property Depreciation Investors

The UAE property depreciation is reshaping how businesses and family offices view property as an investment. Real estate has always anchored wealth and stability, but its treatment within corporate tax frameworks now determines how effectively it performs over time.

The latest guidance allows depreciation deductions on properties valued at fair market value, adding a layer of fiscal precision. Companies choosing the realization basis—deferring tax until sale—can now claim an annual deduction of up to 4 percent on the property’s original cost or written-down tax value. This refinement strengthens property’s role inside long-term, tax-efficient portfolios.


How Depreciation Boosts UAE Property Cash Flow

Investment success depends not only on appreciation but also on liquidity and reinvestment power. Depreciation lowers taxable income, improving post-tax returns for assets that are typically illiquid.

For structured property holders, claiming depreciation under fair-value accounting boosts internal yield and aligns property with other income-producing assets. Even at a modest 4 percent, the deduction releases capital that can be reallocated or retained, enhancing overall portfolio efficiency.

Moreover, this recurring offset stabilizes cash flows, giving investors predictable returns that complement the long-term nature of property ownership.


Aligning UAE Property Depreciation with Tax Efficiency

Previously, owners had to choose between fair-value accounting and depreciation benefits. Businesses valuing properties at market rates lost tax deductions, while those using historical cost models retained them. The new UAE depreciation rules remove this compromise.

Now, companies can maintain up-to-date valuations and still claim depreciation, ensuring transparency and consistency. This alignment allows property to compete directly with other investment classes, from private equity to listed securities, on a balanced tax basis.

Consequently, financial planners can make clearer, data-driven decisions about capital allocation and portfolio composition.


Small Rule, Big Impact on UAE Property Investment

While no single regulation redefines real-estate logic, subtle fiscal changes can transform investment behavior. This policy turns property from a passive holding into an active component of strategic capital management.

It also reflects the UAE’s commitment to predictable, rules-based governance that supports investment without distorting markets. For business owners and families planning across generations, this stability builds confidence and encourages long-term commitment to the country’s economy.

Ultimately, the UAE depreciation rules help transform real estate from a static asset into a dynamic tool for tax optimization and sustainable growth.


A Foundation for Smarter Real Estate Portfolios

These reforms make it easier to incorporate real estate within diversified investment portfolios. They support businesses in balancing cash flow needs, compliance requirements, and performance targets.

For investors, the message is clear: property can now compete with other asset classes not only on returns but also on efficiency and resilience. The UAE continues to build a financial landscape where predictability and innovation work hand in hand.


About the Author

Shabbir Moonim is the Chief Financial Officer at The Continental Group, with over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy, and governance. He aligns financial operations with enterprise growth, oversees risk management and treasury, and drives regulatory readiness and data-driven decision-making across the organization.


About The Continental Group

Founded in 1994 by Ashok Sardana, The Continental Group is a leading insurance and financial services provider licensed by the UAE Insurance Authority, SCA, and DFSA. With over 250 professionals operating across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the Group offers customized solutions in investments, wealth management, succession planning, and insurance. Its core values — integrity, insight, and innovation — continue to drive client trust and long-term financial well-being.

Check out our previous post, ADIB Launches Remit Service, Expands Digital Banking Solutions

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