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More Dubai stimulus + Core42 lands massive trade finance package to back its deployment overseas
Plus: Why the UAE cares about stablecoins
Friday, 22 May 2026
See you after Eid
We head into the long Eid break with several major stories: Dubai is getting an even bigger AED 1.5 bn stimulus package, Core42 landed USD 550 mn for its overseas push, and Mubadala's Acelen secured USD 1.5 bn for its biofuels refinery.
Today at a glance
Editor's choice
M&A Watch
FINANCE
Universal registers UAE’s first USD-backed stablecoin
The move positions USDU as the only registered foreign payment…
THIS MORNING: Dubai Investments Park is still pushing ahead with IPO plans + Bildco looks to Oman for logistics project
Plus: The US’ Cantor secures ADGM approval for regulated financial activities
Newsmakers
How Google keeps AI in check in the age of deepfakes
From a global signals exchange to the importance of provenance, Google’s director of trust and safety breaks down how it’s battling…
My morning routine
The UAE’s 50 most valuable brands saw their value grow 17% y-o-y
Mashreq entered the top 10 list, while Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank overtook DP World for seventh place
Moves
Regulation
Legislation Watch
New golf venues coming to the UAE + Dubai issues law governing gov’t outsourcing
The AED 1 bn golf push from XRange and Akcel…
Regulation Watch
FSRA tightens reins. governance and ins. promotion rules
The FSRA tightened reins. governance, sharpened conduct rules, and added…
Cabinet Watch
The UAE’s next phase: Scaling space, reshaping healthcare, and tightening food policy
New national strategies set hard targets to scale space output,…
CBUAE
THIS MORNING: Wynn confirms RAK resort delay + Archer Aviation is a step closer to air taxi launch
Plus: CBUAE records AED 6.2 bn in financial support packages
Startup watch
RemotePass raises USD 17.4 mn to take its MENA payroll playbook global
UAE-founded RemotePass has secured fresh funding in a round led by EBRD Venture Capital
Shuaa, Key Capital launch the region’s first venture capital secondaries fund
The fund will be targeting shares of individuals like angel investors, founders, and employees,…
Phoenix Venture Partners hits third close of MENA-focused fund
Investors hail from the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the US, and France
