This initiative holds one clear motive – to allow pioneers within the industry to recognize this transformational shift in banking and work collectively to paint a clearer picture of this landscape in the long run. With an invigorating array of topics up for discussion, the summit will present an opportunity for like-minded professionals within the fintech and banking space in the region to delve into thought-provoking discussions stemming from ideas surrounding automation excellence, the direction of future payments, cloud computing, and digital currency, to name a few.

Throughout the two-day affair, delegates will experience a power-packed agenda consisting of presentations, scintillating panel discussions, and keynotes from globally and regionally renowned executives within the fintech sector.

At this year’s 2nd Annual Future Banks Summit MENA, get ready to be in the presence of some of the MENA region’s most renowned fintech pioneers:

• Aditya Baswan – Vice President – Agile Governance at Bank FAB
• Finali Fernando – Managing Director, Regional Head of Products, GPS, MENAT at HSBC
• Dimi Krylov – Head of BAAS at Banque Saudi Fransi
• Anand Sampath – Head of Global Payments & Receivables at GTB
• Issa Al-Hurimmees – Group Chief Retail Risk Officer at Al Rajhi Bank

That said, Verve Management is beyond excited to have every one of its attendees in the presence of networking amongst the ranks of the brightest minds in the industry. Witness some of the most renowned experts and thought leaders provide best practices and ideas to help expedite the digital transformation process and explore MENA’s financial landscape, which will be driven by innovation and technological advancement.

The post Spearheading Banking Transformation in the MENA region appeared first on The Integrator.

The Naqd, founded by RSP, is poised to offer ground-breaking digital banking solutions that support the long-term growth of companies involved in numerous industries, particularly for businesses utilising the eCommerce and omnichannel spaces. This aligns with its commitment to achieving the UAE’s vision for digital transformation. It will cater to the financial needs and requirements of the banked and unbanked population, as well as micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (micro-SMEs) and start-ups in the UAE. Furthermore, these innovative solutions seek to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by catering to their needs using cutting-edge Machine Learning – Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem (ML-AI) technology.

Likewise, Naqd will also serve the UAE’s entertainment, transportation and logistics, and retail sector, in addition to the healthcare ecosystem, by providing innovative services that include – equipment financing, project financing, treasury management, and retail solutions. The advanced digital solutions will be effectively utilised to create a sports digital community where Naqd will collaborate with various UAE sports federations and associations to advance the sector’s infrastructure.

Dr Hamad Al Ali, CEO of Royal Strategic Partners stated: “We are pleased to have received the approval to launch our new NAQD Community Bank. The bank employs cutting-edge digital banking technologies and innovations to provide services to various significant economy sectors in the UAE. Naqd will provide its customers with a safe, seamless, and cutting-edge digital banking network supported by a reliable and advanced infrastructure as well as the progressive laws of the UAE’s digital economy. Naqd is slated to promote the development of digital banking in the country by offering customers a unique, secure, and seamless banking experience. By doing so, we aim to support the strong regulatory frameworks being established and the 2023–2026 strategy of UAE Central bank which includes issuing digital currency, promoting digital transformation in the country’s financial services sector through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data solutions, developing more secure financial cloud infrastructure.”

He added: “The MENA region has been witnessing an upward trend in the use of digital banking owing to the high acceptance of fin-tech solutions and ease of adaptation in the market, which caused a significant shift in the industry. Several local and regional banks are presently concentrating on providing its customers with a branchless banking service via mobile banking technology. By adding RSP into the digital banking community and bringing cutting-edge and distinctive services and facilities to various sectors, we expect that the Naqd Community Bank will offer diverse opportunities for companies and individuals across the UAE.”

The Naqd bank will work with the Neo-banks, which is transforming the banking system with its customer-centric approach and services. The UAE’s digital agenda is completely aligned with the disruptive trends of Neo-Banks, resulting in the nation’s banking operations being altered at a rather surprising rate. The Neo banks primarily focus on streamlining operations while carrying out high-volume digital transactions. With more than 50 commercial banks presently operating in the UAE, Neo banking receives strong government support. By working together with the Neo-banks, Naqd will contribute to advancing the UAE’s banking sector to a completely digital world and encourage more new digital banks to launch its operations in the country.

The post NAQD Community Bank’ receives preliminary approval for launch appeared first on The Integrator.

Peter Bahorecz is one of the key speakers who addressed the pressing climate change crises, discussed effective ways that can have a quantitative and qualitative impact in the fight towards reducing our carbon footprint, and threw light upon the initiatives that SunMoney is implementing towards the same.

Peter Bahorecz talked about the ESG initiatives that SunMoney Solar Group has been taking, including value-backed asset tokens in the clean energy space. He spoke about how SunMoney recently opened applications for its value-producing asset-backed cryptocurrency token, the SDBN2 token, after successfully selling all the SDBN1 tokens introduced earlier. The SDBN2 token is a digital currency based on the Smart Digital Business Network (SDBN). This investment vehicle was designed for businesses and individuals that wish to transition to solar energy by providing a secure form of funding for solar-powered businesses. This will go a long way in establishing solar power projects in multiple communities across the globe. These green investments would help create jobs and reduce carbon emissions significantly while leading an economically and environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

At the ESG Summit, Peter Bahorecz, Chief Networking Officer, SunMoney Solar Group engaged in conversations to identify the most effective ESG strategies with global market leaders and discussed potential industry collaborations that will accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon global economy.

He said, “Our cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology leverages and strengthens our community’s capability to generate maximum returns from the sun’s energy. For those looking to invest in a durable, real-world asset with enduring value, the SDBN2 token provides an unparalleled opportunity. Investing in this fund provides a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for investors to invest and thrive alongside the solar revolution. Not only will they benefit from the growth of these businesses, but also generate a steady financial return on their investments.” He was excited to meet ESG investors who share SunMoney’s passion for sustainability and are willing to come together to create an inclusive ESG ecosystem.

In the Middle East, several governments and leaders are taking meaningful, robust strides towards combatting climate change. However, there must be significantly greater investment in renewable energy sources, strategies, and community projects to adapt to the changing weather patterns while leading a more carbon-conscious lifestyle.

ESG Summit 2023 is the perfect platform to set these goals and to actively discuss the solution-oriented approach required for a successful energy transition. Peter Bahorecz’s participation at ESG Summit 2023 reaffirms SunMoney Solar Group’s commitment to contribute positively towards building a sustainable future by creating impactful ESG initiatives. Recently, Zoltan Rendes, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer of SunMoney, was invited to attend the anniversary of the European Climate Pact by the European Commission. As a European Climate Ambassador, Zoltan had the chance to discuss climate action topics with fellow ambassadors from all over the world in Brussels and met with Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

SunMoney is committed to playing an active role in the global energy transition, and ESG Summit 2023 will provide a platform to further this cause.

The post SunMoney Solar Group’s Chief Networking Officer, One Of The Key Speakers At The World ESG Summit 2023 appeared first on The Integrator.

The partnership agreement between the two companies aims to expand the horizon for merchants in the Saudi market by adding a secure digital wallet, enriching the supported payment methods, and improving their customers’ payment experience. Telr is constantly working hard to offer new payment methods to its customers, enriching the collection of offered payment methods that aim to unlock new opportunities for merchants in Saudi Arabia. This partnership supports the continuous efforts toward the transition to digital payments and is in line with the Kingdom’s vision to build a cashless society by 2030.

Khalil Alami, Founder & CEO of Telr, valued the signing of this agreement, pointing out that Telr is constantly seeking to come up with a new safe payment to serve all merchants and users around Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Alami added, “Through this integration, our merchants will be connected to a growing set of payment methods supported by Telr, which aim at enhancing their competitive position in the field of e-commerce and ease the online shopping process for their customers in Saudi Arabia. “

The post Telr and Urpay Signed Strategic Partnership During LEAP 2023 appeared first on The Integrator.

Direct TT, one of the world’s leading financial consultancy firms and part of the DTT Group, a globally recognized and regulated financial services provider, acquired the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) license for Financial Consultancy and Financial Analysis. The DTT Group further announced its plans to invest USD 10 million over the next two years in its regional operations and fintech research and development.

As part of the acquisition, Direct TT will offer its clients regulated, reliable financial research and analysis, along with scientific data based on more than 25 years of experience, to forecast price trajectory and future trends for the forex, stocks, CFDs, precious metals, and energy markets. In addition, the license permits Direct TT to introduce customers to financial services from SCA-licensed entities and promote financial products through marketing and advertising.  The move represents a significant step towards becoming a regional and global financial market leader.

H.R.H Dr. Saif Al-Islam Bin Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, Chairman of the Board, DTT Group, commented: “The region has firmly established itself as a global financial hub, with its strong and diverse economy, advanced financial markets, and pro-business policies, thereby attracting investments from around the world. In addition, the fintech and innovation sectors are experiencing a rapid boom due to the high demand from businesses upgrading their technology infrastructure to meet global standards.”

Walid Ead, CEO & Managing Partner DTT Group, said: “Acquiring the SCA license is a major milestone for Direct TT, as it reaffirms our commitment to our clients in the UAE. Our mission has been to consistently deliver regulated, accurate, and reliable financial data to ensure that traders have access to the best financial products and information and the security to invest with confidence.”

“We consider the GCC to be a key region for us, due to its position as a global financial hub. By making significant investments in the region, will look forward to better serving our clients and meeting the growing demand for quality services and cutting-edge fintech solutions. It further underscores our commitment to contribute to the empowerment of the financial sector across the region,” he added.

Recent reports have revealed that Dubai has a USD 8.7 trillion economic plan for the upcoming decade to boost trade, foreign investments, and its status as a global hub. The DTT Group, renowned for unparalleled quality, innovation, and customer service, is well-positioned to contribute to this growth. The company has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and has 13 physical offices worldwide. In addition to the UAE regulation, DTT is regulated in the UK, Lithuania, Colombia, and Vanuatu.

The post Direct TT Granted SCA license for Financial Consulting Analysis in the UAE appeared first on The Integrator.

By adhering to the standards set by NESA, the highest level of security is ensured in processing payments, in over 120 currencies and 30 languages, via various payment methods through Telr Payment Gateway’s unique platform. This high level of security enables merchants to meet international standards, increasing their competitiveness and security in the global market. Telr is also the first PCI DSS Level 1 certified company in the Middle East, and it is listed in the Visa Global Registry of Service Providers (VGR).

Khalil Alami, Founder & CEO of Telr, said: “We are proud to be the first payment gateway to have received the National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) certification. We look forward to continuing to serve the UAE with the highest security and customer service level.” Alami added: “ As a payment gateway, from day one, we understand the importance of protecting our merchants’ sensitive information and ensuring that their transactions are secure. Telr is also the first PCI DSS Level one certified company in the MENA region, in addition to being listed on the Visa Global Registry of Service Providers (VGR). All these certificates are a recognition of our efforts to meet the region’s highest standards of cyber security”.

Telr’s one-stop-shop approach extends beyond just payment processing. The company also offers various financial and business services to support e-commerce businesses. These services include social commerce, QR codes, digital invoicing, Telr Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Telr Finance, a financing program, and Telr Shops, an easy-to-use tool for creating an online store in minutes. Telr’s solutions are tailored to meet the needs of any e-commerce business, making it a reliable and efficient partner for any online business.

The post Telr, First Payment Gateway to achieve NESA Certification in the UAE appeared first on The Integrator.

Established in 2014, and through its new headquarters in DSO, Telr will enable businesses in the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, to transact in over 120 currencies with payment platform capabilities in 30 languages.

Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis, accompanied by Khalil Alami, Founder, and CEO of Telr, inaugurated the company’s regional headquarters within the Dubai Digital Park (DDP) at Dubai Silicon Oasis in the presence of officials of both entities.

Connecting e-commerce components

Khalil Alami said: “our mission is to build connections that remove the fragmentation in the e-commerce ecosystem. We make these connections to enable our customers to go cashless, digitizing how they accept payments.

Alami added: “The Dubai Digital Park at DSO provides an advanced infrastructure in the heart of Dubai with various benefits that help us enable businesses in the world of e-commerce and support the UAE’s vision of a cashless society.”

Virtual stores within minutes

Telr offers an integrated e-commerce platform that allows merchants to easily build their own virtual stores within minutes to provide services and products online. The Telr platform also facilitates a wide array of payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, Apple Pay, PayPal, Mada, Sadad, and STC pay.

The platform provides customers with various financial and business services, including social commerce through QR Codes and payment links, BNPL, Business Loans, Anti-fraud protection, and Shopping Cart Integrations.

Telr

Established in 2014, Telr is an award-winning, Dubai-based payment gateway solutions provider and the first PCI DSS Level 1 (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)) certified company in MENA.

The company’s wholly owned unique platform www.telr.com enables it to handle unique or complex payment methods or integrations in UAE and KSA. It is listed as one of the most funded and top FinTech companies in the Middle East.

Dubai Digital Park

Dubai Digital Park at Dubai Silicon Oasis provides smart services within a unified and secure platform that integrates the facilities’ operational requirements with the needs of its tenants and visitors of residential and commercial projects. The park includes office spaces, commercial units, smart residential apartments, plug & play offices, hotel rooms, furnished apartments, and a conference center.

The post Payment Gateway Solutions Provider ‘Telr’ Inaugurates The New Regional Headquarters in Dubai Silicon Oasis appeared first on The Integrator.

Funding or access to capital has significantly hindered the growth of start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the UAE. Funding Possibilities is a sought-after platform for both seekers and providers of capital, providing access to various forms of capital beyond equity, including traditional debt, alternative and structured finance. It aims to make private markets more accessible and transparent.

It seeks to give retail investors access to start-ups and enable retail investors to contribute to the overall start-up ecosystem and new-age businesses.

Funding Possibilities is a sector and stage agnostic platform aiming to build more than ten profitable unicorns, i.e., Profi-Corns, in the coming decade.

The launch of Funding Possibilities comes barely three weeks after the launch of the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that includes 100 transformative projects, with economic targets of Dh32 trillion over the next ten years, doubling its foreign trade to reach Dh25.6 trillion and adding 400 cities as key trading partners over the next decade. More than 400,000 SMEs operate. They represent more than 60 per cent of the UAE’s non-oil economy and provide employment opportunities for 86 per cent of the workforce in the private sector, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development reports.

“Dubai will rank as one of the top four global financial centres with an increase in FDI to over Dh650 billion over the next decade and an annual Dh100 billion contribution from digital transformation. Over 300,000 global investors in Dubai today are helping build Dubai into the fastest growing global city,” HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a statement.

Dubai is home to more than 10,000 small and medium start-ups. Funding is crucial for the success of start-ups as well as MSMEs. Funding Possibilities would play a significant role in helping start-ups and new-age businesses to grow and become profitable unicorns, i.e. Profi-Corns in future. This will help these businesses play an essential role in realizing Dubai Government’s D33 Vision.

Sheetal Soni, CA, CFA Charter Holder and Founder of Funding Possibilities, says, “Increasing funding options is necessary for the UAE’s small businesses and start-ups. Funding Possibilities is set to fill a clear gap in the start-up and MSME space providing quality funding channels for them to grow and fuel the growth of the UAE economy.

“The launch of Funding Possibilities is well timed with the announcement of D33 – which will accelerate the growth of the economy of Dubai and the UAE in the next decade. It will bring investors closer to the start-ups for multi-stage funding and provide small businesses with the working capital requirement.”

Start-ups across the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Turkey raised $7.2 billion through 1,473 deals. Last year, despite macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a report by data platform Magnitt. With Funding Possibilities, this number will multiply to help thousands of start-ups in the early stage of incubation.

The Funding Possibilities comprise highly-qualified chartered accountants, certified public accountant professionals, tech geek, and serial business entrepreneurs.

Prateek Toshniwal, CA and Co-Founder of Funding Possibilities, says, “We will serve the business community with curated deals to suit their needs, ease informed investment through a four-dimensional due diligence process, provide ease of exits and need-based relevant information at the user’s palm.

“In a nutshell, we want to build a community of start-ups, investors, bankers, alternative finance providers, wealth managers, private equities, family offices, venture capitalists and all other private institutional players.

“We will create a knowledge and resource bank for start-ups, create an eco-system to find the right co-founders, help them in ease of capital raise through various sources of capital, handhold at various stages of their journey from incubation to profitable unicorns.”

The post A New Fintech Platform, Funding Possibilities Is About to be Launched In the UAE appeared first on The Integrator.

As part of the acquisition, Direct TT will offer its clients regulated, reliable financial research and analysis, along with scientific data based on more than 25 years of experience, to forecast price trajectory and future trends for the forex, stocks, CFDs, precious metals, and energy markets. In addition, the license permits Direct TT to introduce customers to financial services from SCA-licensed entities and promote financial products through marketing and advertising.  The move represents a significant step towards becoming a regional and global financial market leader.

H.R.H Dr Saif Al-Islam Bin Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, Chairman of the Board DTT Group, commented: “The region has firmly established itself as a global financial hub, with its strong and diverse economy, advanced financial markets, and pro-business policies, thereby attracting investments from around the world. In addition, the fintech and innovation sectors are experiencing a rapid boom due to the high demand from businesses upgrading their technology infrastructure to meet global standards.”

Walid Ead, CEO & Managing Partner of DTT Group, said: “Acquiring the SCA license is a major milestone for Direct TT, as it reaffirms our commitment to our clients in the UAE. Our mission has been to consistently deliver regulated, accurate, and reliable financial data to ensure that traders have access to the best financial products and information and the security to invest with confidence.”

“We consider the GCC a key region due to its position as a global financial hub. By making significant investments in the region, will look forward to better serving our clients and meeting the growing demand for quality services and cutting-edge fintech solutions. It further underscores our commitment to contribute to the empowerment of the financial sector across the region,” he added.

Recent reports have revealed that Dubai has a USD 8.7 trillion economic plan for the upcoming decade to boost trade, foreign investments, and its status as a global hub. The DTT Group, renowned for unparalleled quality, innovation, and customer service, is well-positioned to contribute to this growth. The company has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and has 13 physical offices around the world. In addition to the UAE regulation, DTT is regulated in the UK, Lithuania, Colombia and Vanuatu.

The post Direct TT Granted SCA license for Financial Consulting and Analysis in the UAE appeared first on The Integrator.

The campaign is the brainchild of Ola Lind, Director – FTFT Capital and Global Blockchain Business Council UAE Ambassador whose vision is to short bridge the gap between mass adoption and the current dynamics of the crypto ecosystem by providing a platform for blockchain innovation and education.

Three students have managed to secure an internship with guest speaker Ed H., founder of TakeCapital and an active GBBC member, due to the first session held at Murdoch University Dubai led by the speaker Dr Neda Keshavarzi, Research Development Specialist at FTFT Capital Investments.

The hour-long interactive session introduced the young adults to the world of cryptocurrency, talking about the different kinds of cryptocurrencies, their uses, and a brief introduction on how to get started. FTFT Capital is leveraging its employees, customers, and contacts for this campaign to offer students a hands-on-immersive learning experience and the opportunity, whenever possible, to secure employment or internships that will allow them to learn alongside industry leaders, develop their projects, and hone their skills and expertise in the sector.

Gearing up the rest 26% of the population

A report by YouGov showed that 68% of young adults (18-24) in the UAE are seeking to invest in cryptocurrencies in the next five years; however, 20% of them stated that they don’t have enough knowledge about it.  And with social media often portraying cryptocurrency as a get-rich-quick scheme, it has ensnared many young adults and students who, fearful of missing out, invest without adequate information or investigation.

“With major improvements taking place in the crypto and blockchain field, we want the younger generation to look at this as a full-fledged career path rather than just an investment,” said Ola Lind, Director of FTFT Capital.

Empowering the students of the $26 billion industry through hands-on-learning

With a transaction value of $26 billion, the UAE is currently the third largest Crypto market in the Middle East, after only Turkey and Lebanon. Despite the fact that the internet is packed with online learning material, there are relatively few opportunities to put your knowledge into practice. This attempt to empower students will accelerate the UAE’s development and improve its standing in the Middle East, making them the main hub for blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

Through this program, FTFT Capital is harnessing its staff’s talents and connections to provide the best experiences to the students. Along with their technical expertise, the speakers offer a personal touch to the campaign by discussing their own experiences, such as Ed’s, who first became active in the cryptocurrency industry when Bitcoin was just worth 0.6 USD.

The post FTFT Capital’s CryptoCredibitlity Campaign Educates and Employs students appeared first on The Integrator.