Abu Dhabi merges ADQ into new wealth fund L'IMAD: What to know Under the new structure, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, will oversee a broader swath of the emirate’s investment holdings. United Arab Emirates
UAE Central Bank approves first US dollar-backed stablecoin: What to know The approval marks a milestone in the UAE’s development of digital currency infrastructure and positions USDU as the Gulf country’s first USD-denominated currency for digital assets. United Arab Emirates
Iran internet blackout estimated to cost $37M+ daily, crippling businesses and society The ongoing digital disconnection is severely stalling commerce, draining millions of dollars daily and pushing many businesses toward collapse. Iran
Can Iran’s promised economic reforms quell unrest? The Iranian government has made several economic pledges to protesters, though some carry risk of increasing inflation further. Iran
Turkey launches counterfeit US dollar probe as exchange offices halt trade The Banking Association of Turkey said currency counting machines, counterfeit currency detection devices as well as ATMs were being updated against circulation of counterfeit banknotes. Turkey
China embraces debt listings to tap into Gulf’s pool of wealth As UAE stock markets hit $1 trillion in market capitalization for the first time last week, an increasing number of Chinese entities are choosing to list some of their debt on Gulf capital markets. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Barclays fined $50M for failing to disclose 2008 Qatari funding The UK-headquartered bank will pay a fine of 40 million pounds to British regulators for failing to disclose information of its rescue by Qatar during the 2008 financial crisis. Qatar
Egypt to launch first IPO in three years amid IMF-fueled privatization drive The move comes amid a privatization drive in Egypt as part of the International Monetary Fund’s conditions to provide Cairo with an $8 billion bailout to help the North African country recover from an economic crisis. Egypt
BlackRock gets nod to establish Abu Dhabi office after Saudi HQ plans set BlackRock, which manages around $11.5 trillion in assets, announced last month that it had obtained a license from the Saudi authorities to open a regional headquarters in Riyadh. United Arab Emirates
Iran, Russia link payment networks in bid to bypass sanctions The financial partnership connects the national payment frameworks, aiming to boost trade and tourism between the two sanctioned nations — yet key challenges remain. Iran
Analysis As Saied begins new term as president, Tunisians brace for unstable governance In a second presidential term, Tunisia’s increasingly autocratic ruler is unlikely to secure the political and economic stability the country craves. By Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Gulf central banks poised for 1% rate cut amid Fed's expected moves under Trump Capital Economics’ assumption under a Harris presidency was that basis points would fall by 1.5% between now and May 1, compared with a predicted 1% under Trump. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Egypt: $1.2B at stake as IMF reviews ‘halfhearted’ economic reforms The International Monetary Fund's delayed review began Tuesday, and Egypt could see the release of more than $1.2 billion in financing. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Middle East markets rally after Donald Trump's election victory Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index, the TASI, gained 0.9%, while Dubai's main share index gained 0.5%. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, a key player in the region’s stock markets, gained 0.4%. United States
Saudi Aramco in 'advanced' talks on hydrogen offtake as Q3 income drops 15.3% Aramco's Q3 net income fell 15.3% to $27.6 billion on low oil prices. Aramco is looking to expand into new business areas such as renewables and hydrogen. Saudi Arabia
China to issue up to $2B in bonds in Saudi Arabia as business ties deepen The two countries have been deepening economic and trade ties to help each other meet strategic initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. Saudi Arabia
