Financial

From AI to Instant Settlements: Boosting Acceptance, Fighting Fraud, Maximizing Revenue!

Published

7 months ago

March 6, 2025

Financial Integrator sat down with Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, which is at the forefront of the digital payments revolution, offering a diverse range of payment methods tailored to global and regional needs. Supporting over 145 currencies, its technology helps businesses boost acceptance rates, combat fraud, and optimize revenue. With innovations like AI-powered Intelligent Acceptance and Flow, Checkout.com enhances transaction efficiency while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The company is also addressing the growing demand for cross-border payments in MENA, where e-commerce is surging.

What range of payment methods does Checkout.com offer to meet diverse customer needs, and how do these solutions address varying preferences and requirements?

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver.

Our global suite of connected payment methods enhances payment performance and makes it easy for customers to shop how they prefer, wherever they are. By partnering with us, merchants can access these tools to drive loyalty and conversions across markets. In addition to popular payment methods like major credit and debit cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, we provide a variety of region- and country-specific solutions. In the MENA region, this includes local options like Mada in KSA, KNET in Kuwait, Benefit in Bahrain, Qpay in Qatar, Omannet in Oman and wallets such as STC Pay. We also support alternative payment methods tailored to diverse use cases, such as Tabby and Tamara for Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options.

Our extensive range of options gives businesses the flexibility to implement payment methods that align with their target markets and specific needs. Leveraging our local expertise and global reach, our partners can expand more easily by facilitating cross-border transactions and enhancing customer experiences. By meeting customers where they are and supporting their preferred payment methods, we help businesses thrive in the digital economy. Whether enabling seamless cross-border transactions for global brands or empowering merchants to serve niche markets, our solutions are designed to adapt to evolving demands while ensuring top-tier payment performance and compliance.

Can you share insights on the innovations Checkout.com is implementing to enhance convenience, personalization, and overall user experience for end-users?

At Checkout.com, we’re constantly innovating to enhance convenience, personalization, and user experience for end-users. For example, our AI-powered Intelligent Acceptance tool is setting a new standard in payment performance by analyzing real-time data to maximize transaction approval rates. Running millions of optimizations per day, it has helped customers unlock $9bn in additional revenue, using AI trained on billions of transaction data points originating from the entire Checkout.com merchant portfolio.

In addition, Flow, our customizable payment interface, further simplifies the payments process for merchants by dynamically presenting the most relevant payment methods based on user preferences, market demands, and regulatory requirements. It has built-in optimizations that aim to streamline the payment experience for consumers. This flexibility enables businesses to seamlessly expand into new markets while adhering to compliance standards such as PCI, GDPR, and card scheme regulations.

We also prioritize user experience by designing intuitive, mobile-optimized payment flows that ensure accessibility across devices. Our real-time fraud detection systems have prevented over $2 billion in fraudulent activity, ensuring the highest level of trust for both merchants and consumers.

Checkout.com also launched the Checkout Business Account last year, designed to help businesses optimize cash flow management and reduce the time and cost of money in transit. For merchants, faster access to cash is critical, hence the company provides same-day settlements before receiving funds from Visa or Mastercard. Further rollouts are anticipated in 2025, including competitive yields on balances and seamless expense management.

By combining advanced technology with user-first design, Checkout.com helps businesses deliver payment experiences that are not just fast and secure but also personalized to meet the evolving expectations of today’s customers worldwide.

What factors are driving the increasing demand for cross-border payments, and how does Checkout.com address the complexities associated with this growing requirement?

The rising demand for cross-border payments is driven by key trends highlighted in our “State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024” report. E-commerce growth has dramatically reshaped the region, with the number of daily digital shoppers in MENA surging by 80% since 2020. Saudi Arabia leads this digital transformation with an impressive 180% growth in consumers shopping online at least once a week, followed by the UAE and Kuwait, which have each seen a 140% increase. As consumer trust in online transactions grows, preferences are shifting rapidly – cash-on-delivery usage has halved since 2020, dropping to just 10% in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

These evolving consumer behaviors underline the demand for secure, seamless, and efficient payment experiences. The report also reveals strong preferences for cross-border shopping, particularly in Qatar and Kuwait, where 41% and 40% of respondents, respectively, cited cross-border shopping as a key motivator for e-commerce. Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of this trend, driven by its status as the largest regional market for cross-border transactions.

These trends underscore the vast opportunities for merchants to capitalize on the economically resilient MENA market while catering to its diverse consumer preferences. However, the varied shopping behaviors across sectors and regions add layers of complexity to meeting customer needs in an increasingly globalized landscape.

At Checkout.com, we simplify these challenges with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products and services, bolstered by deep regional expertise. Our localized acquiring solutions optimize transaction efficiency by reducing costs and enhancing approval rates, all while improving payment performance, supported by a strong network of partnerships across the region.

How are advanced payment solutions, such as AFT’s, enhancing the ecommerce experience for businesses and consumers?

Advanced payment solutions like Account Fund Transfers (AFTs) are revolutionizing e-commerce by addressing inefficiencies in traditional payment systems and unlocking new opportunities for businesses and consumers.

For businesses, AFTs enable faster cash flow by reducing settlement times from days to seconds, enhancing liquidity and operational efficiency. This real-time processing allows companies to reinvest funds quickly, scale operations, and expand into new markets. Beyond e-commerce, AFTs are transforming industries such as remittance, enabling seamless cross-border transfers that are faster and more cost-effective. They are also supporting the rapid growth of digital wallets by allowing instant top-ups, meeting the demands of a digital-first economy. The innovative partnership between Visa, Checkout.com, and Stake serves as a strong example of how AFTs can facilitate seamless global transactions, simplifying cross-border payments and reducing costs.

For consumers, AFTs provide the speed, convenience, and security required in today’s fast-paced digital world. Whether it’s transferring funds, topping up wallets, or making purchases, AFTs ensure instant, reliable transactions. As seen in the UAE real estate sector, AFTs also enable global users to access opportunities previously hindered by traditional payment complexities, offering seamless and secure investment capabilities.

By combining speed, efficiency, and security, AFTs transform how businesses and consumers interact with digital payment systems, fostering trust, innovation, and growth across a variety of use cases in the global economy.

What is Checkout.com’s perspective on the future of the payment industry over the next 5-10 years, particularly in the context of the MENA region’s evolving digital economy?

At Checkout.com, we envision the future of payments as one characterized by seamless, secure, and efficient transactions, driven by continuous innovation and evolving consumer expectations. Our commitment is to provide businesses and consumers with cutting-edge payment solutions that simplify and enhance the digital economy.

We are focused on empowering businesses with advanced solutions like Account Fund Transfers (AFTs), which improve cash flow by enabling faster, more predictable settlements. AFTs help businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, and expand into new markets, providing a clear advantage in an increasingly globalized economy. By optimizing payment performance, we enable merchants to enhance approval rates, minimize payment failures, and maximize revenue potential.

For consumers, we ensure instant, frictionless transactions that meet the demands of a fast-paced digital world. With real-time processing and advanced fraud detection, we deliver a seamless and secure experience that fosters trust in digital commerce platforms.

At Checkout.com, flexibility, agility, and performance are at the core of everything we do. Our localized acquiring solutions and deep regional expertise enable us to optimize transaction efficiency, enhance approval rates, and support merchants in their growth. As we continue to innovate, we remain dedicated to shaping the future of payments and driving the digital economy forward with secure, efficient, and customer-centric solutions that improve payment performance across the board.

Financial

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

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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

Financial

UAE Crypto Regulation Sets Global Blueprint

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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

Financial

UAE Depreciation Rules Boost Real Estate Investment

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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.

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