FINANCIAL SERVICES-

#1- ADGM grants Bitcoin Suisse preliminary approval for Middle East expansion: Swiss digital asset firm Bitcoin Suisse has secured preliminary approval from the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority for its Middle East subsidiary BTCS (Middle East), marking its expansion into the region, according to a press release. The approval allows the subsidiary to pursue a full license to offer virtual asset trading, crypto securities, derivatives, and custody services in ADGM. The firm will work with ADGM to obtain full licensing.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Who’s Bitcoin Suisse? The company holds over USD 6 bn in digital assets under custody and more than USD USD 2.6 bn in institutional staking services. It is one of the world’s largest providers of digital asset custody and institutional staking solutions.

#2- Deutsche Bank gets greenlight from FRSA: Deutsche Bank has secured financial service permission from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, allowing it to conduct regulated activities including arranging credit and investment transactions, as well as advising on investment or credit, the bank announced in a press release.

PAYMENTS-

Al Ansari Exchange, UnionPay launch instant remittance to China: Al Ansari Exchange agreed to launch UnionPay International’s MoneyExpress service in the UAE, Al Ansari said in a press release. The real-time remittance service will enable instant transfers from the UAE to China. The service credits UnionPay cards in RMB without intermediary or bank fees.

AI-

UAE Media Council taps Presight to launch AI media content review platform: The UAE Media Council inked an agreement with G42-backed Presight to develop a unified media AI and analytics platform, according to a press release (pdf). The platform will analyze and validate media content — including books, films, and artworks — before publication to ensure compliance with UAE laws and standards. The system aggregates data from multiple media licensing agencies into a centralized platform.

This follows another media move from Presight, after the UAE National Media Office awarded it a contract this week to build an AI-powered platform to centralize and analyze media data. The project will deploy AI tools to assess public sentiment, identify emerging narratives, and propose messaging frameworks.

MANUFACTURING-

ESG expands to Saudi Arabia: Emirates Stallions Group (ESG), a subsidiary of International Holding Company, has acquired a 16-year usufruct agreement for 13k sqm of warehouse space in Saudi Arabia through its subsidiary Vision Furniture & Decoration Factory, according to a press release (pdf).

The details: The agreement, signed with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, covers two facilities covering 6k and 7.4k sqm. The warehouses are set to be operational by 3Q 2025 and will be used to produce and store furniture, and comes as the firm looks to meet growing demand in Saudi Arabia, the statement read.

REAL ESTATE-

Meraas awards AED 690 mn contract to Bhatia: Dubai real estate developer Meraas, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded Bhatia General Contracting a AED 690 mn contract for phase four of the Nad Al Sheba Gardens development, according to a press release. The latest phase of the development is slated for handover in 1Q 2027, and the contract’s scope includes the building of 188 units, including 96 villas, 92 townhouses, and two pool houses, as well as other amenities.

Tags: